SOUTHWEST SCIENCES INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: SB161-005
SOUTHWEST SCIENCES INC — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
- Amount
- $149,996
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- SB161-005
- Solicitation
- 2016.1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- NM
- Period
- 2016-06-27 → 2017-03-26
Description
This SBIR Phase I proposal will investigate a method for measuring magnetic gradients using a pair of cesium vapor cells. The approach involves measuring free-induction decay of atomic polarization based on a method patented by the proposers. By measuring decays in two spatially separate cells, a signal can be extracted which is largely free of magnetic noise from the ambient environment. This should allow measurements of magnetic signals from the heart or brain without the need for special shielding facilities. Unlike SQUID magnetometers, the atomic magnetometer does not require cryogenic fluids, so it costs less to operate and is more easily transported. The Phase I research will show that the gradient approach can achieve high precision in an unshielded environment. The Phase I option will explore methods to further enhance the sensitivity and to reduce the cost for detecting the signal.