Magnetometer for the Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Experiment

The neutron electric dipole moment (EDM) experiment is a DOE nuclear physics project that seeks to measure the precession of neutrons in superimposed magnetic and electric fields. The magnetic field must be homogeneous to 1 part in one million, but existing instruments compromise this requirement because they are too bulky to fit in the shielded measurement region or they lack the sensitivity needed to verify the field stability. This project will develop a compact, all-optical magnetometer with a volume of just 1 cm, based on fiber-optics and novel atomic spectroscopy techniques. This magnetometer will be used to test the neutron EDM instrument. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Commercial applications of magnetometers include instrumentation for geophysics and mineral exploration, buried object detection, and defense applications such as IED detection and submarine detection. Emerging applications include low-field magnetic resonance imaging and medical diagnostics.