Unambiguous Vector Magnetometry with Structured Light in Atomic Vapor

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to unambiguously determine the vector magnetic field using structured light and atomic vapor, overcoming previous ambiguity issues in magnetic field measurement.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework and Fourier analysis technique for complete magnetic field vector characterization with structured light in atomic vapor.

Findings

Established a one-to-one correspondence between magnetic field properties and absorption profile features.

Demonstrated the potential for designing an optical vector atomic magnetometer.

Resolved ambiguity in magnetic field vector measurement using structured light.

Abstract

Absorption profiles of vector light upon interaction with atomic vapor carries distinct signatures of external magnetic field vector. However, this signature becomes ambiguous for anti parallel magnetic field vectors of equal magnitude, which makes their absorption profiles visually indistinguishable. To resolve this ambiguity, we present theoretical analysis of the interaction of vector light with optically polarized atoms immersed in reference and test magnetic fields. Furthermore, we demonstrate the complete characterization of the arbitrarily oriented test magnetic field via Fourier analysis of the absorption profile. This analysis reveals a one to one correspondence between the magnetic field properties and the profiles contrast and rotational angle. Our findings open an avenue to design an optical vector atomic magnetometer based on structured light fields.