Optically pumped magnetometers: From quantum origins to multi-channel magnetoencephalography

Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) have emerged as a viable and wearable alternative to cryogenic, superconducting MEG systems. This new generation of sensors has the advantage of not requiring cryogenic cooling and as a result can be flexibly placed on any part of the body. The purpose of this review is to provide a neuroscience audience with the theoretical background needed to understand the physical basis for the signal observed by OPMs. Those already familiar with the physics of MRI and NMR should note that OPMs share much of the same theory as the operation of OPMs rely on magnetic resonance. This review establishes the physical basis for the signal equation for OPMs. We re-derive the equations defining the bounds on OPM performance and highlight the important trade-offs between quantities such as bandwidth, sensor size and sensitivity. These equations lead to a direct upper bound on the gain change due to cross-talk for a multi-channel OPM system

Optical Magnetometry

Some of the most sensitive methods of measuring magnetic fields utilize interactions of resonant light with atomic vapor. Recent developments in this vibrant field are improving magnetometers in many traditional areas such as measurement of geomagnetic anomalies and magnetic fields in space, and are opening the door to new ones, including, dynamical measurements of bio-magnetic fields, detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI), inertial-rotation sensing, magnetic microscopy with cold atoms, and tests of fundamental symmetries of Nature.Comment: 11 pages; 4 figures; submitted to Nature Physic

All-Optical Nonzero-Field Vector Magnetic Sensor For Magnetoencephalography

We present the concept and the results of an investigation of an all-optical vector magnetic field sensor scheme developed for biological applications such as non-zero field magnetoencephalography and magnetocardiography. The scheme differs from the classical two-beam Bell-Bloom scheme in that the detecting laser beam is split into two beams, which are introduced into the cell in orthogonal directions, and the ratio of the amplitudes of the magnetic resonance signals in these beams and their phase difference are measured; strong optical pumping from the lower hyperfine level of the ground state ensures the resonance line narrowing, and detection in two beams is carried out in a balanced schemes by measuring the beam polarization rotation. The proposed sensor is compact, resistant to variations of parameters of laser radiation and highly sensitive to the angle of deflection of the magnetic field vector - with an estimated scalar sensitivity of the order of 16 fT/Hz1/2 in 8x8x8 mm3 cell, an angular sensitivity of 4x10-7 rad, or 0.08'', was demonstrated

Miniature biplanar coils for alkali-metal-vapor magnetometry

Atomic spin sensors offer precision measurements using compact, microfabricated packages, placing them in a competitive position for both market and research applications. Performance of these sensors such as dynamic range may be enhanced through magnetic field control. In this work, we discuss the design of miniature coils for three-dimensional, localized field control by direct placement around the sensor, as a flexible and compact alternative to global approaches used previously. Coils are designed on biplanar surfaces using a stream-function approach and then fabricated using standard printed-circuit techniques. Application to a laboratory-scale optically pumped magnetometer of sensitivity $\sim$20 fT/Hz$^{1/2}$ is shown. We also demonstrate the performance of a coil set measuring $7 \times 17 \times 17$ mm$^3$ that is optimized specifically for magnetoencephalography, where multiple sensors are operated in proximity to one another. Characterization of the field profile using $^{87}$Rb free-induction spectroscopy and other techniques show $>$96% field homogeneity over the target volume of a MEMS vapor cell and a compact stray field contour of $\sim$1% at 20 mm from the center of the cell

How to build a magnetometer with thermal atomic vapor: A tutorial

This article is designed as a step-by-step guide to optically pumped magnetometers based on alkali atomic vapor cells. We begin with a general introduction to atomic magneto-optical response, as well as expected magnetometer performance merits and how they are affected by main sources of noise. This is followed by a brief comparison of different magnetometer realizations and an overview of current research, with the aim of helping readers to identify the most suitable magnetometer type for specific applications. Next, we discuss some practical considerations for experimental implementations, using the case of an $M_z$ magnetometer as an example of the design process. Finally, an interactive workbook with real magnetometer data is provided to illustrate magnetometer-performance analysis.Comment: 52 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables. Submitted to New Journal of Physics as an invited review/tutorial for the special issue "Focus on Hot Atomic Vapors". Minor content and language errors corrected in v

Optimal design of on-scalp electromagnetic sensor arrays for brain source localisation

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are quickly widening the scopes of noninvasive neurophysiological imaging. The possibility of placing these magnetic field sensors on the scalp allows not only to acquire signals from people in movement, but also to reduce the distance between the sensors and the brain, with a consequent gain in the signal-to-noise ratio. These advantages make the technique particularly attractive to characterise sources of brain activity in demanding populations, such as children and patients with epilepsy. However, the technology is currently in an early stage, presenting new design challenges around the optimal sensor arrangement and their complementarity with other techniques as electroencephalography (EEG). In this article, we present an optimal array design strategy focussed on minimising the brain source localisation error. The methodology is based on the Cramér-Rao bound, which provides lower error bounds on the estimation of source parameters regardless of the algorithm used. We utilise this framework to compare whole head OPM arrays with commercially available electro/magnetoencephalography (E/MEG) systems for localising brain signal generators. In addition, we study the complementarity between EEG and OPM-based MEG, and design optimal whole head systems based on OPMs only and a combination of OPMs and EEG electrodes for characterising deep and superficial sources alike. Finally, we show the usefulness of the approach to find the nearly optimal sensor positions minimising the estimation error bound in a given cortical region when a limited number of OPMs are available. This is of special interest for maximising the performance of small scale systems to ad hoc neurophysiological experiments, a common situation arising in most OPM labs

Alignment of magnetic sensing and clinical magnetomyography

Neuromuscular diseases are a prevalent cause of prolonged and severe suffering for patients, and with the global population aging, it is increasingly becoming a pressing concern. To assess muscle activity in NMDs, clinicians and researchers typically use electromyography (EMG), which can be either non-invasive using surface EMG, or invasive through needle EMG. Surface EMG signals have a low spatial resolution, and while the needle EMG provides a higher resolution, it can be painful for the patients, with an additional risk of infection. The pain associated with the needle EMG can pose a risk for certain patient groups, such as children. For example, children with spinal muscular atrophy (type of NMD) require regular monitoring of treatment efficacy through needle EMG; however, due to the pain caused by the procedure, clinicians often rely on a clinical assessment rather than needle EMG. Magnetomyography (MMG), the magnetic counterpart of the EMG, measures muscle activity non-invasively using magnetic signals. With super-resolution capabilities, MMG has the potential to improve spatial resolution and, in the meantime, address the limitations of EMG. This article discusses the challenges in developing magnetic sensors for MMG, including sensor design and technology advancements that allow for more specific recordings, targeting of individual motor units, and reduction of magnetic noise. In addition, we cover the motor unit behavior and activation pattern, an overview of magnetic sensing technologies, and evaluations of wearable, non-invasive magnetic sensors for MMG

Study and Realization of a Miniature Isotropic Helium Magnetometer

No abstract available.Pas de résumé disponibl

Bio-magnetic imaging using highly sensitive quantum magnetometers

This thesis describes the experimental results of highly sensitive quantum magnetometers, known as optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), for bio-magnetic measurements. First, I show that commercially available OPMs can achieve enhanced spatio-temporal resolution compared to superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) when recording visual-evoked fields, using a standard visual paradigm. The improved resolution enabled the observation of novel neuronal findings in healthy participants. As OPMs were not originally developed for this neurophysiological application, the technology is not optimised for it, and the product design limits the final performance. In our lab, we developed a modular OPM sensor to surpass these limitations in terms of bandwidth and scalability. I tested the performance of this prototype for bio-magnetic measurements, and validated its use through a series of alpha-rhythm experiments over the visual cortex. Finally, I designed an experiment to explore the possibility of measuring the spinal cord evoked response using both the modular and the commercially available OPMs. Using peripheral nerve stimulations, I demonstrate the importance of the broader bandwidth for spinal cord measurements compared to the brain ones, and thus highlight the suitability of the modular OPM sensor for more sensitive measurements. Preliminary in-vivo spinal cord data using the commercial OPMs show simultaneous evoked fields of the brain and spinal cord