An Accurate Vector Magnetometer via Zeeman Rabi Oscillations
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arXiv
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866911505595760640 |
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| author | Menon, Thanmay S. Hewatt, Dawson P. Kiehl, Christopher Ellmeier, Michaela Knappe, Svenja Regal, Cindy A. |
| author_facet | Menon, Thanmay S. Hewatt, Dawson P. Kiehl, Christopher Ellmeier, Michaela Knappe, Svenja Regal, Cindy A. |
| contents | Accurate magnetic field direction sensing in compact platforms is critical in applications spanning magnetic navigation, space science, and biomedical imaging. We demonstrate a single-optical-axis vector optically pumped magnetometer based on Rabi oscillations between Zeeman sublevels driven by a series of resonant radiofrequency (RF) polarization ellipses (PEs). A calibration protocol based on controlled rotations of the DC magnetic field determines the spatial orientation of each PE. We develop a detailed theoretical model describing the angular dependence of the Rabi frequencies, incorporating key systematics including RF Stark shifts and Bloch-Siegert shifts. We also account for an RF-based heading-error systematic affecting Rabi-frequency measurements arising from the nonlinear Zeeman effect. Simultaneous Larmor measurements yield the magnitude of the magnetic field, enabling integrated vector-scalar measurements. The magnetometer achieves deadzone-free vector operation with 80 $μ$rad mean angular accuracy and angular noise densities as low as 8 $μ$rad$/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$, offering a pathway towards miniaturized sensors without requiring 3D optical access or sensor rotations. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_08594 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | An Accurate Vector Magnetometer via Zeeman Rabi Oscillations Menon, Thanmay S. Hewatt, Dawson P. Kiehl, Christopher Ellmeier, Michaela Knappe, Svenja Regal, Cindy A. Atomic Physics Accurate magnetic field direction sensing in compact platforms is critical in applications spanning magnetic navigation, space science, and biomedical imaging. We demonstrate a single-optical-axis vector optically pumped magnetometer based on Rabi oscillations between Zeeman sublevels driven by a series of resonant radiofrequency (RF) polarization ellipses (PEs). A calibration protocol based on controlled rotations of the DC magnetic field determines the spatial orientation of each PE. We develop a detailed theoretical model describing the angular dependence of the Rabi frequencies, incorporating key systematics including RF Stark shifts and Bloch-Siegert shifts. We also account for an RF-based heading-error systematic affecting Rabi-frequency measurements arising from the nonlinear Zeeman effect. Simultaneous Larmor measurements yield the magnitude of the magnetic field, enabling integrated vector-scalar measurements. The magnetometer achieves deadzone-free vector operation with 80 $μ$rad mean angular accuracy and angular noise densities as low as 8 $μ$rad$/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$, offering a pathway towards miniaturized sensors without requiring 3D optical access or sensor rotations. |
| title | An Accurate Vector Magnetometer via Zeeman Rabi Oscillations |
| topic | Atomic Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.08594 |