Concept of an Optical Magnetometer Based on the Spectroscopy of Alkali Vapors Confined in Nanometric-Thick Cells

Abstract

In this article, we present the concept of an optical scalar magnetometer based on the spectroscopy of hot alkali vapors confined in nanometric-thick cells. We present an appropriate theoretical model to describe the interaction of linearly and circularly polarized light with atomic alkali vapors confined in extremely thin cells where a longitudinal magnetic field is applied. This model can be used to perform consecutive fittings of experimental spectra recorded by derivative selective reflection method, in order to measure the value of magnetic field. We illustrate the model with various calculated spectra for natural Rb vapor, while equivalent results hold for other alkalis (Na, K, Cs). We analyze the feasibility of the concept for different cases depending on light polarization and cell thickness, and discuss possible limitations of the technique.