A modular optically pumped magnetometer system
Open accessAbstract
To address the demands in healthcare and industrial settings for spatially resolved magnetic imaging, we present a modular optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) system comprising a multi-sensor array of highly sensitive quantum magnetometers. This system is designed and built to facilitate fast prototyping and testing of new measurement schemes by enabling quick reconfiguration of the self-contained laser and sensor modules as well as allowing for the construction of various array layouts with a shared light source. The modularity of this system facilitates the development of methods for managing high-density arrays for magnetic imaging. The magnetometer sensitivity and bandwidth are first characterised in both individual channel and differential gradiometer configurations before testing in a real-world magnetoencephalography environment by measuring alpha rhythms from the brain of a human participant. We demonstrate the OPM system in a first-order axial gradiometer configuration with a magnetic field gradient sensitivity of 10 fT / cm / Hz at a baseline of 4.5 cm. Single-channel operation achieved a sensitivity of 65 fT / Hz . Bandwidths exceeding 200 Hz were achieved for two independent modules. The system’s increased temporal resolution allows for the measurement of spinal cord signals, which we demonstrate by using phantom signal trials and comparing with an existing commercial sensor.
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OPMs combine near-SQUID sensitivity with room-temperature operation and offer scalability towards wearable and multi-subject recording.
“OPMs on the other hand, like the QZFM series by QuSpin (QuSpin Inc., Louisville, CO, USA), represent a promising, emerging technology that combines near-SQUID sensitivity with room-temperature operation while offering scalability towards wearable and multi-subject recording [25,26,44,45].”
Cites
A subfemtotesla multichannel atomic magnetometer
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Cohen, D. (1972) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.175.4022.664 · Cited by 785 · see citing works
Optically pumped magnetometers: from quantum origins to multi-channel magnetoencephalography
Tierney, T. M., Holmes, N., Mellor, S., López, J. D., Roberts, G., Hill, R. M., Boto, E., Leggett, J., Shah, V., Brookes, M. J., et al. (2019) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.05.063 · Cited by 400 · see citing works
High-sensitivity operation of single-beam optically pumped magnetometer in a kHz frequency range
Savukov, I., Kim, Y. J., Shah, V, & Boshier, M. G. (2017) · Measurement Science and Technology · doi:10.1088/1361-6501/aa58b4 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
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Palantzas, A., & Anagnostouli, M. (2026) · Sensors · doi:10.3390/s26051738 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“OPMs on the other hand, like the QZFM series by QuSpin (QuSpin Inc., Louisville, CO, USA), represent a promising, emerging technology that combines near-SQUID sensitivity with room-temperature operation while offering scalability towards wearable and multi-subject recording [25,26,44,45].”
- Authors
- Coussens, T., Gialopsou, A., Abel, C., Bason, M. G., James, T. M., Evans, W., Woodley, M. T. M., Nightingale, D., Nicolau, D., Page, L., Oručević, F., & Krüger, P.
- Affiliations
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (DE)
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School (GB)
- University of Sussex (GB)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (GB)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Quantum Science and Technology
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Published
- 2024-06-19
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 035045
- ISSN
- 2058-9565 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4398159183
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2
- FWCI
- 1.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Quantum Science and Technology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Funders
- University of Sussex Strategic Development Fund
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/T001046/1)
- Innovate UK (42186)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Quantum Information and Cryptography
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Mechanical and Optical Resonators
- Keywords
- optically pumped magnetometers, quantum magnetometers, multi-sensor array, magnetic imaging, magnetoencephalography, alpha rhythm, axial gradiometer, magnetometer sensitivity
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