Can a Quantum Nondemolition Measurement Improve the Sensitivity of an Atomic Magnetometer?

M. Auzinsh, D. Budker, D. F. Kimball, S. M. Rochester, J. E. Stalnaker, A. O. Sushkov, and V. V. Yashchuk
Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 173002 – Published 19 October 2004

Abstract

We consider the limitations due to noise (e.g., quantum projection noise and photon shot-noise) on the sensitivity of an idealized atomic magnetometer that utilizes spin squeezing induced by a continuous quantum nondemolition measurement. Such a magnetometer measures spin precession of N atomic spins by detecting optical rotation of far-detuned light. We show that for very short measurement times, the optimal sensitivity scales as N3/4; if strongly squeezed probe light is used, the Heisenberg limit of N1 scaling can be achieved. However, if the measurement time exceeds τrel/N1/2 in the former case, or τrel/N in the latter, where τrel is the spin relaxation time, the scaling becomes N1/2, as for a standard shot-noise-limited magnetometer.

  • Figure
  • Received 25 March 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.173002

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Auzinsh1, D. Budker2,3,*, D. F. Kimball2, S. M. Rochester2, J. E. Stalnaker2, A. O. Sushkov2, and V. V. Yashchuk4

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Latvia, 19 Rainis blvd, Riga, LV-1586, Latvia
  • 2Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-7300, USA
  • 3Nuclear Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley California 94720, USA
  • 4Advanced Light Source Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley California 94720, USA

  • *Electronic address: budker@socrates.berkeley.edu

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Vol. 93, Iss. 17 — 22 October 2004

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