Remote Detection Optical Magnetometry

TL;DR

This paper reviews optical magnetometry techniques capable of remotely detecting magnetic fields in challenging environments, highlighting recent advances and potential applications in space and atmospheric measurements.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the development and recent progress in optical stand-off magnetometry methods for remote magnetic field detection.

Findings

Successful measurement of mesosphere magnetic fields using laser guide stars

Development of mirrorless-lasing readout for magnetometry

Proposals for satellite-based atmospheric sodium magnetometry

Abstract

Sensitive magnetometers have been applied in a wide range of research fields, including geophysical exploration, bio-magnetic field detection, ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance, etc. Commonly, magnetometers are directly placed at the position where the magnetic field is to be measured. However, in some situations, for example in near space or harsh environments, near nuclear reactors or particle accelerators, it is hard to place a magnetometer directly there. If the magnetic field can be detected remotely, i.e., via stand-off detection, this problem can be solved. As optical magnetometers are based on optical readout, they are naturally promising for stand-off detection. We review various approaches to optical stand-off magnetometry proposed and developed over the years, culminating in recent results on measuring magnetic fields in the mesosphere using laser guide stars, magnetometry with mirrorless-lasing readout, and proposals for satellite-assisted interrogation of atmospheric sodium.