Indian scientists' breakthrough in quantum magnetometry paves way to sharper, super-precise atomic clocks
- In Reports
- 07:18 PM, Oct 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
A team of researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of quantum magnetometry, which could greatly enhance the precision of atomic clocks and magnetometers vital to navigation, telecommunications, and aviation systems.
Quantum magnetometry leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to measure minute magnetic fields with exceptional accuracy. This technique often utilises quantum systems—such as atoms, ions, or superconducting circuits—due to their heightened sensitivity to changes in magnetic fields. These advancements at RRI could pave the way for more precise and reliable tools across critical technologies.
Atomic clocks, known for their extreme precision, operate by measuring the vibrations or transitions of atoms to maintain accurate timekeeping. Essential for GPS satellites, atomic clocks help synchronise signals to deliver precise location data. In their recent research, scientists at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) harnessed the Doppler effect to achieve a remarkable tenfold improvement in the magnetic field response, advancing quantum magnetometry techniques on thermal rubidium atoms.
This breakthrough was achieved using Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT), a technique implemented at room temperature. By refining this approach, the RRI team has demonstrated the potential to enhance the capabilities of quantum magnetometers and atomic clocks, offering improved performance for technologies critical to modern navigation, telecommunications, and aviation.
Rydberg atoms—excited atoms with electrons at extremely high energy levels—were detected using Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT). The research team noted an enhanced sensitivity to magnetic fields when the Rydberg EIT setup was configured in a novel way that left the Doppler shift uncompensated. This unconventional approach contributed significantly to the breakthrough in magnetic field detection.
Dr. Sanjukta Roy, Head of Quantum Optics with Rydberg Atoms Lab at RRI, explained, "It is the Doppler shift which causes a larger response of the Rydberg EIT signal to an externally applied magnetic field."
Typically regarded as a challenge in sensing applications, the Doppler effect was ingeniously leveraged by the researchers, transforming a potential drawback into an advantage in room-temperature quantum magnetometry. Their approach enables the detection of weak magnetic fields without the need for cryogenic cooling or ultra-high vacuum environments, making the system far more viable for practical, real-world applications.
The results of this study, published in the New Journal of Physics, underscore the potential of this method for broad implementation in quantum sensing technologies.
Shovan Kanti Barik, lead author of the paper, noted, "Magnetic fields alter the energy levels. In its presence, the energy levels get shifted by different amounts, producing multiple transmission peaks whose separation can be used to measure the magnetic field."
Doppler-enhanced quantum magnetometry presents promising applications across diverse fields, including geophysics, brain activity monitoring, mineral exploration, space research, and archaeology. This advancement could pave the way for more precise and resilient atomic clocks and magnetometers, significantly boosting the accuracy of systems that depend on exact timekeeping and sensitive magnetic field measurements.
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