Development Of Quantum Interference Magnetometers For Space Applications
Dr. Roland Lammegger
Senior Scientist, Institute of Experimental Physics
Friday, June 13th, 09:30 a.m.
Institute of Electron Microscopy, Seminar Room (3rd floor)
Steyrergasse 17, 8010 Graz
Abstract:
The magnetic fields of planets, moons and other celestial bodies are the main focus of unmanned exploration of the solar system. By measuring and mapping these magnetic fields, an impression of the inner structure of the celestial bodies can be gained, which is all the better the more accurately these fields can be recorded in terms of magnitude and direction.
Optical magnetometers are ideally suited for this due to their properties, as many variants of these magnetometers are literally atomic clocks for magnetic fields.
The lecture will present a very special type of quantum interference magnetometer that is successfully used for space missions. This magnetometer was developed in a collaboration between the Institute of Experimental Physics at Graz University of Technology and the Institute of Space Research at the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
