In situ determination of alkali metal density using phase-frequency analysis on atomic magnetometers. (1st August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yao, Han; Zhang, Hong; Ma, Danyue; Zhao, Junpeng; Ding, Ming
• Is Part Of: Measurement science & technology. Volume 29:Number 9(2018:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2018-08-01
• Subjects: alkali density measurement -- atomic magnetometer -- magnetic resonance response -- phase-frequency analysis; Physical measurements -- Periodicals; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Equipment and Supplies -- Periodicals; Science -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Technology -- instrumentation -- Periodicals; Mesures physiques -- Périodiques; Physical measurements; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; 502.87
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6501/aad1e0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-0233

Abstract

Abstract: The alkali number density inside the sealed vapor cell restricts the fundamental sensitivity of the atomic magnetometer and may decrease in the long term, thus motivating the investigation of an in situ density determination method on atomic magnetometers. This paper presents a method to measure the alkali number density, which is proportional to the spin-exchange relaxation rate, through phase-frequency analysis. The magnetic resonance response of the atomic magnetometer was actively strengthened at low polarization by increasing the oscillating field amplitude. To downplay the side effect of the transverse field broadening, phase-frequency analysis was applied to extract the transverse relaxation time limited by spin-exchange collisions. The experimental results coincided well with the saturated vapor pressure curve ranging from 413 K to 463 K. Calculated densities were approximately 0.779–0.992 times those of predictions. The density measurement accuracy was improved compared to traditional methods.