Sensitivity
The sensitivity of atomic magnetometers are limited by the number of atoms and their spin coherence lifetime according to
where is the gyromagnetic ratio of the atom and is the average polarization of total atomic spin .
In the absence of spin-exchange relaxation, a variety of other relaxation mechanisms contribute to the decoherence of atomic spin:
where is the relaxation rate due to collisions with the cell walls and are the spin destruction rates for collisions among the alkali metal atoms and collisions between alkali atoms and any other gasses that may be present.
In an optimal configuration, a density of 1014 cm−3 potassium atoms in a 1 cm3 vapor cell with ~3 atm helium buffer gas can achieve 10 aT Hz-1/2 (10−17 T Hz-1/2) sensitivity with relaxation rate ≈ 1 Hz.
Read more about this topic: SERF
Famous quotes containing the word sensitivity:
“The vanity of men, a constant insult to women, is also the ground for the implicit feminine claim of superior sensitivity and morality.”
—Patricia Meyer Spacks (b. 1929)
“Freedom of choice for women, at the expense of the caring, warmth, and sensitivity to others so often associated with them, may be empty. In the thrust to redefine male and female roles, women must not become men; nor can men be permitted the continual dehumanization of their roles.”
—Kathleen Weibel (b. 1945)
“...some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go away, baldhead! Go away, baldhead!””
—Bible: Hebrew, 2 Kings 2:23.
Elisha--proving that baldness has been a source of sensitivity for centuries, Elisha cursed them and they died.