Sensitive magnetometry in challenging environments

TL;DR

This paper reviews how optically-pumped magnetometers have been adapted for use in challenging, noisy environments, highlighting recent advances and practical applications beyond controlled laboratory settings.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of techniques and strategies for deploying sensitive magnetometers in real-world, demanding environments, bridging the gap between laboratory sensitivity and practical usability.

Findings

Magnetometers have been successfully adapted for noisy environments.

Various techniques improve robustness of magnetometers in challenging conditions.

The review highlights practical applications in real-world scenarios.

Abstract

State-of-the-art magnetic field measurements performed in shielded environments with carefully controlled conditions rarely reflect the realities of those applications envisioned in the introductions of peer-reviewed publications. Nevertheless, significant advances in magnetometer sensitivity have been accompanied by serious attempts to bring these magnetometers into the challenging working environments in which they are often required. This review discusses the ways in which various (predominantly optically-pumped) magnetometer technologies have been adapted for use in a wide range of noisy and physically demanding environments.