Laser remote magnetometry using mesospheric sodium

We have demonstrated a remote magnetometer based on sodium atoms in the Earth's mesosphere, at a 106-kilometer distance from our instrument. A 1.33-watt laser illuminated the atoms, and the magnetic field was inferred from back-scattered light collected by a telescope with a 1.55-meter-diameter...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Kane, Thomas J, Hillman, Paul D, Denman, Craig A, Hart, Michael, Scott, R Phillip, Purucker, Michael E, Potashnik, Stephen J
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 15.02.2017
Subjects
Apertures
Laser beams
Lasers
Light
Magnetic fields
Magnetic measurement
Mesosphere
Sensitivity
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Summary:We have demonstrated a remote magnetometer based on sodium atoms in the Earth's mesosphere, at a 106-kilometer distance from our instrument. A 1.33-watt laser illuminated the atoms, and the magnetic field was inferred from back-scattered light collected by a telescope with a 1.55-meter-diameter aperture. The measurement sensitivity was 162 nT/\(\sqrt{Hz}\). The value of magnetic field inferred from our measurement is consistent with an estimate based on the Earth's known field shape to within a fraction of a percent. Projected improvements in optics could lead to sensitivity of 20 nT/\(\sqrt{Hz}\), and the use of advanced lasers or a large telescope could approach 1-nT/\(\sqrt{Hz}\) sensitivity. All experimental and theoretical sensitivity values are based on a 60\(^\circ\) angle between the laser beam axis and the magnetic field vector; at the optimal 90\(^\circ\) angle sensitivity would be improved by about a factor of two.
ISSN:2331-8422