Measuring Magnetic Field Gradients using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Rb Vapor

Author

Ravn JenkinsFollow

Date Thesis Awarded

5-2019

Access Type

Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only

Degree Name

Bachelors of Science (BS)

Department

Physics

Advisor

Irina Novikova

Committee Members

Seth Aubin

Eugeniy Mikhailov

Nahum Zobin

Abstract

We demonstrate a new method for measuring magnetic gradients in the presence of large constant magnetic fields using electromagnetically induced transparency in rubidium vapor. As the Earth provides a near-constant magnetic field of 25-50 µT, most measurements of small magnetic fields involve subtracting or shielding the Earth's field. Our method can measure small gradients in the presence of large magnetic fields using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in ⁸⁷Rb. By comparing the resonances of two laser beams in a dual-rail arrangement propagating through rubidium vapor in a spatially changing magnetic field, we are able to measure a constant gradient of ≥7 nT/cm and a time-varying gradient of ≥50 pT/cm, over a constant magnetic field of 35 µT.

Recommended Citation

Jenkins, Ravn, "Measuring Magnetic Field Gradients using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Rb Vapor" (2019). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 1370.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/1370