Feedback Methods for Vector Measurements Using an All-Optical Atomic Magnetometer.

In this work, we look to compare three methods of feedback for the ultimate purpose of measuring the transverse vector components of a magnetic field using a synchronous light-pulse atomic scalar magnetometer with a few tens of fT/Hz sensitivity in Earth-field-scale magnetic environments. By applying modulation in the magnetic field to orthogonal axes, the respective vector components may, in principle, be separated from the scalar measurement. Success of this technique depends in significant part on the ability to measure and respond to these perturbations with low measurement uncertainty.