Room-temperature quantum sensor skips the need for cryogenic cooling

Researchers at the University of Alberta predict a new quantum sensor could detect magnetic fields as weak as 24 aT/√Hz in just 10 minutes. This sensitivity, achieved with a 10 W ultraviolet laser, has the potential to surpass that of current cryogenic magnetometers, devices that require extremely low temperatures to operate. The analysis reveals that a relative intensity noise of -100 dBc/Hz is important for optimal performance, guiding efforts to either increase laser power or minimize noise. The approach uses a noble gas, eliminating the need for alkali vapors and enabling hours-long spin relaxation at room temperature. This level of noise control, combined with high laser power, dictates whether experimental efforts should focus on boosting laser output or refining noise reduction techniques. The research details how these factors influence the magnetometer’s sensitivity, pinpointing regimes where either fundamental or technical noise limits detection capabilities. Unlike conventional methods, this approach circumvents the need for alkali vapors during the sensing stage, enabling spin relaxation times lasting hours at room temperature. This is made…