A radio-frequency Bose-Einstein condensate magnetometer

Abstract

We report on a radio frequency magnetometer employing a Bose-Einstein condensate of 87Rb atoms held in a dipole trap. An AC sensitivity of 296 pT / Hz is achieved at a probing volume of 3.2 × 10 - 8 cm 3, leading to a volume-normalized sensitivity of 53 fT / Hz cm - 3. At larger probing volumes with the atoms released from the magnetic trap used in the initial phase of the evaporation sequence, the AC sensitivity is improved to 1.4 pT / Hz, allowing a two-mode approach for applications requiring improved sensitivity. Immediate application in high-resolution electromagnetic induction imaging is expected when compared to performance of other induction-based imaging platforms.