Low Power, Self Calibrated Vector Magnetometer, Phase I
Status: Completed
Start Date: 2007-01-19
End Date: 2007-07-23
Description: This Phase I SBIR project investigates a novel approach to vector magnetometry based on high precision measurements of the total magnetic field. The calibration is based on the measurement of the Larmor frequency of an atomic vapor. The accuracy should be sufficient to determine the curl of the magnetic field from measurement points separated by about 80 meters. A novel magnetic modulation technique will be compared to the technique used in Cassini and Ulysses. Two methods for controlling the atomic density will be compared.
Benefits: Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Precision vector and total field magnetometers for geological exploration and laboratory measurement. Low cost nuclear magnetic imaging.
Lead Organization: Goddard Space Flight Center