9320468 Slocum A novel high-performance laser-pumped helium free precession (LHFP) magnetometer is proposed for use for geomagnetic field measurements and magnetic geophysical exploration. In Phase I we defined a concept for a portable laser-pumped helium 3 magnetometer which has small size, high sensitivity and low power consumption. A miniature tunable near-infrared laser pump source developed by Polatomic for NASA was used to demonstrate laser pumping of helium 3. The laser pumping light will be carried by optical fiber link between the sensor and the laser/electronics package. During Phase I we demonstrated the feasibility of the laser-pumped helium 3 magnetometer and identified the laser pump source suitable for pumping helium 3. The concept will be validated in Phase II with the design, fabrication and testing of a laser-pumped helium 3 magnetometer. In Phase II two sensors will be built in order to evaluate a laser-pumped helium 3 gradiometer. The LHFP magnetometer provides continuous read-out and has sensitivity improved by more than an order of magnitude over the proton free precession (PFP) magnetometer. The laser pumped helium free precession magnetometer for geomagnetic observatories and surveys would replace the PFP magnetometer as the world standard.
