Modular optically-pumped magnetometer system

Abstract

We describe a modular optically-pumped magnetometer (OPM) system which enables fast prototyping and testing of new measurement schemes. Quick reconfiguration of self-contained laser and sensor modules allow easy construction of various array layouts. The modularity of this system enables scaling of shared light-source arrays, and development of methods for high density array management for magnetic imaging and sensing in both medical and industrial fields. We demonstrate the OPM system in a first-order axial gradiometer configuration with a magnetic field gradient sensitivity of 10.4 $fT/cm/\sqrt{Hz}$. To illustrate the capabilities of this system, we measured alpha-rhythms from the brain of a human participant, and assessed the magnetometer sensitivity both with single sensor channels and in a differential gradiometer configuration