Magnetic Jones Vector Detection with RF Atomic Magnetometers

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method using two atomic magnetometers to determine the absolute orientation and polarization of RF magnetic fields, representing the signals as a magnetic Jones vector for advanced RF field characterization.

Contribution

The work demonstrates both theoretically and experimentally how to extract the magnetic Jones vector from RF magnetic fields using quantum sensors, a novel approach in RF field detection.

Findings

Successfully determined RF magnetic field orientation and polarization.

Expressed sensor outputs as a magnetic Jones vector.

Potential applications in material characterization and noise discrimination.

Abstract

We show, theoretically and experimentally, how the absolute orientation and polarization state of radio-frequency (RF) magnetic fields in a transverse 2D plane can be uniquely determined using two optically pumped atomic magnetometers. In addition, the output signals from these quantum sensors can be readily expressed as a magnetic Jones vector. This composite device can complement electric field detection in finding RF directions, or it can be used in applications where the electric field is negligible. The latter is found in a myriad of applications where the source can be modeled as radiating magnetic dipoles in the near-field limit. This new tool could be used to characterize a material's response to RF excitation or to distinguish signal from noise.