NIST has developed a highly compact, chip-scale atomic magnetometer that could revolutionize medical diagnostics and other applications. The device, which operates at room temperature, uses circularly polarized laser light passing through a millimeter-sized chamber containing alkali atoms to measure faint magnetic fields. This technology could replace conventional methods like electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography, which are often large, complex, and expensive. The NIST magnetometer is completely passive, operates without cooling, and doesn’t require direct contact with the patient’s skull. It has potential applications in medical diagnostics, geophysical mapping, underwater navigation, and space science. The technology was developed through a collaborative effort involving experts in atomic physics, manufacturing, healthcare, and laser applications.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/patents/chip-scale-atomic-magnetometer
Keywords: NIST, chip-scale, magnetometer
