Cavity Optomechanical Magnetometer

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a chip-based cavity optomechanical magnetometer that detects magnetic fields via magnetostrictive deformation, achieving high sensitivity and room temperature operation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel cavity optomechanical magnetometer utilizing magnetostrictive materials and whispering gallery mode resonators for high-sensitivity magnetic field detection.

Findings

Achieved a sensitivity of 400 nT/Hz^.5

Theoretical modeling suggests sensitivities up to 500 fT/Hz^.5

Device operates effectively at room temperature

Abstract

A cavity optomechanical magnetometer is demonstrated where the magnetic field induced expansion of a magnetostrictive material is transduced onto the physical structure of a highly compliant optical microresonator. The resulting motion is read out optically with ultra-high sensitivity. Detecting the magnetostrictive deformation of Terfenol-D with a toroidal whispering gallery mode (TWGM) resonator a peak sensitivity of 400 nT/Hz^.5 was achieved with theoretical modelling predicting that sensitivities of up to 500 fT/Hz^.5 may be possible. This chip-based magnetometer combines high-sensitivity and large dynamic range with small size and room temperature operation.