Magnetic characterization of electronic components for portable atomic sensors using a zero-field optically pumped magnetometry platform

Abstract

We present a zero-field optically pumped magnetometry platform for magnetic characterization of a photodetector (PD) board and a resistance temperature detector (RTD) used in a portable atomic magnetometer. For each component, the static magnetic field along the measurement axis is determined from the shift in the center of the dispersive response, while response distortion caused by off-axis magnetic-field components is assessed from the absorptive admixture. Magnetic-field noise is evaluated based on the quadrature difference in the amplitude spectral density (ASD). The platform achieved a -3 dB bandwidth of 71.5 Hz and a median ASD of 57.6 $\mathrm{fT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ over 20-70 Hz. For the unpowered PD board, static magnetic fields of approximately 8 nT in magnitude and opposite signs were measured in the front- and back-facing orientations. The back-facing orientation also exhibited a degraded dispersive response consistent with magnetic-field inhomogeneity. The magnetic-noise contributions associated with the PD board were estimated at 36.0 and 63.2 $\mathrm{fT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ in the front- and back-facing orientations, respectively. By contrast, operation of the RTD readout generated a static magnetic field of -0.6 nT, with no measurable response degradation or additional magnetic-field noise. These results provide guidance for the design and placement of electronic components in portable atomic magnetometers targeting sensitivities below 0.1 $\mathrm{pT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$.