LAUSR

Abstract Optically pumped atomic magnetometers have found widespread application in biomagnetic studies. Most of the studies utilize MX gradiometers as sensitive and simple arrangements. One the sensitivity improvement methods in the MX configurations is detection of magnetic resonance at higher harmonics due to nonlinear precession of spin polarization. To enhance the harmonic components, we have proposed square wave RF magnetic fields with various duty cycles as substitute for sinusoidal fields. Our results revealed that detection of the 5th harmonic of a 10% duty cycle square wave magnetic field, improved the magnetometer sensitivity by a factor of 4.5 respect to the first harmonic which could be a reliable option to generate high sensitivity MX magnetometers in the MCG applications.