Indian Scientists Achieve Breakthrough in Precision for Atomic Clocks and Magnetometers
Scientists at India’s Raman Research Institute (RRI) have achieved a breakthrough in quantum magnetometry, enhancing the precision of atomic clocks and magnetometers used in navigation, telecommunications, and aviation. By utilizing the Doppler effect in a novel way, the team increased the response to magnetic fields tenfold using Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) in thermal rubidium atoms at room temperature. This method allows for the detection of weak magnetic fields without the need for complex cooling systems, making it more practical for real-world applications. The advancement has potential uses in fields like geophysics, space exploration, and medical diagnostics.
Researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have made a major breakthrough in quantum magnetometry, which could significantly enhance the precision of atomic clocks and magnetometers used in fields such as navigation, telecommunications, and aviation. Quantum magnetometry measures extremely small magnetic fields with high accuracy, using quantum systems like atoms or ions.
The team used the Doppler effect to amplify the response to magnetic fields tenfold, using a technique called Rydberg Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) in thermal rubidium atoms at room temperature. This unconventional use of the Doppler effect, typically seen as a disadvantage, allowed for detecting weak magnetic fields without the need for cryogenic cooling or ultra-high vacuum conditions, making the system more practical for real-world applications.
Dr. Sanjukta Roy, head of the Quantum Optics with Rydberg Atoms Lab at RRI, explained that the Doppler shift caused a larger response to the magnetic fields. This advancement, published in the *New Journal of Physics*, has potential applications in geophysics, brain activity detection, space exploration, and more, leading to enhanced precision in atomic clocks and magnetometers used in critical systems.