Microfabricated SERF Atomic Magnetometers for Measurement of Weak Magnetic Field

Two-dimensional arrays of vertically packed spin-valves with picoTesla sensitivity at room temperature

“…High precision instruments for magnetic imaging [3][4][5] are contactless and can offer superior outputs than electrical measurements, since magnetic signals are not attenuated by human tissue 6,7 . Current technologies for ultra-low magnetic field detection include Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUID) 8 and Optical Pumping Magnetometry (OPM) 9,10 reaching femto-tesla detection levels and more recently Spin Exchange Relaxation Free (SERF) atomic magnetometers on pico-tesla range 11,12 . Despite the very low field detection capability, SQUIDs require cryogenic environments 13 and OPMs rely on complex optical parts 14 , hampering a seamless compact and wearable design.…”