All Optical Vector Magnetometer, Phase I

The successful completion of the project through Phase II will result in a compact, rugged instrument for measuring vector and scalar magnetic fields in the 0-100 ÔøΩT range. The primary customer for such a sensor for space borne applications is NASA and its subcontractors for Earth and planetary science missions. Vector magnetometers are also used aboard high altitude balloons as a back-up to differential GPS for pointing telescopes and other scientific payloads. The small size and weight would be a good match for such platforms, as the magnetometer would not interfere with the science package. The instrument will be of use to the Navy for anti-submarine applications and the Army for detecting hidden tanks, reinforced bunkers, etc, as the large steel content of these targets generates a magnetic signature on top of the Earth's field. The civilian market for magnetometers includes applications in oil and mineral exploration, mining, buried object detection, and the recovery of objects lost at sea. More »