Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention includes a magnetic solenoid. The magnetic solenoid includes an elongated sidewall that extends along and surrounds a central axis between spaced apart ends. The central axis can include a center point that is approximately equidistant from the spaced apart ends. The magnetic solenoid also includes a conductive coil that extends along and conforms to the elongated sidewall and comprises a plurality of consecutive loops centered on the central axis. The plurality of consecutive loops can have a consecutive loop-spacing that is non-uniform along the central axis and having a substantial maximum spacing value at approximately the center point.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system. The system includes a gyro cell that is sealed to enclose an alkali metal vapor, a first gyromagnetic isotope, and a second gyromagnetic isotope. A magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field that is provided through the gyro cell to cause the first and the second gyromagnetic isotopes to precess. A magnetic field error controller configured to measure an error associated with a magnitude of the magnetic field and to generate an error signal that is fed back to the magnetic field generator to maintain the magnetic field at a desired magnitude. The system further includes a mechanization processor configured to calculate a rotation angle about a sensitive axis of the NMR gyroscope system based on a measured precession angle of at least one of the first and second gyromagnetic isotopes and the error signal.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system. The system includes a gyro cell that is sealed to enclose an alkali metal vapor, a first gyromagnetic isotope, a second gyromagnetic isotope, and a third gyromagnetic isotope. The system also includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a substantially uniform magnetic field that is provided through the gyro cell to cause the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes to precess. The system further includes an angular rotation sensor configured to measure a rotation angle about a sensitive axis of the NMR gyroscope system based on measured precession angles of the first, second, and third gyromagnetic isotopes.
Abstract:
One example includes a magnetometer that includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal vapor and a magnetic field generator system that generates predetermined AC magnetic fields through the sensor cell. The magnetometer also includes a laser system to provide optical pump and probe beams through the sensor cell in a pulsed manner to facilitate precession of the alkali metal vapor and to provide a detection beam corresponding to the optical probe beam exiting the sensor cell. The detection beam exhibits an optical property corresponding to a modified precession of the alkali metal vapor based on the predetermined AC magnetic fields and an external magnetic field. The magnetometer also includes a detection system to monitor the detection beam to detect the modified precession of the alkali metal vapor to calculate scalar and vector components of the external magnetic field based on the plurality of predetermined AC magnetic fields.
Abstract:
One example includes an inertial navigation system (INS). The INS includes a navigation controller configured to generate inertial data associated with motion of a vehicle based on at least one navigation sensor configured on the vehicle and based on magnetic anomaly data. The INS also includes a magnetic anomaly INS-aiding system comprising a plurality of magnetometers distributed in a respective plurality of locations on the vehicle. The magnetic anomaly INS-aiding system can be configured to generate the magnetic anomaly data based on magnetic field measurements of a fixed magnetic anomaly at each of the plurality of magnetometers.
Abstract:
One example includes a method for fabricating a compound material. The method includes providing a first discrete material layer having a first thickness dimension. The first discrete material layer includes a first material having a first magnetic susceptibility. The method also includes depositing a second discrete material layer having a second thickness dimension over the first discrete material layer. The second discrete material layer can include a second material having a second magnetic susceptibility. The relative first and second thickness dimensions can be selected to provide a desired magnetic susceptibility of the compound material.
Abstract:
One example embodiment includes an atomic sensor system. A probe laser generates a probe beam. A first portion of the probe beam is provided through a sensor cell comprising a first alkali vapor to calculate a measurable parameter of the system based on a first detection beam corresponding to the first portion of the probe beam exiting the sensor cell. A second portion of the probe beam can be provided through a stabilization cell that comprises a second vapor. A detection system can be configured to stabilize the frequency of the probe beam in a manner that is on-resonance with respect to an optical transition wavelength of the second alkali vapor and off-resonance with respect to an optical transition wavelength of the first alkali vapor based on a second detection beam corresponding to the second portion of the probe beam exiting the stabilization cell.
Abstract:
One embodiment includes an accelerometer system. The system includes a laser configured to emit an optical beam at a linear polarization. The system also includes an optical cavity system. The optical cavity system includes a mirror that is coupled to an accelerometer housing via a spring and is configured to reflect the optical beam. The optical cavity system also includes at least one photodetector configured to receive at least a portion of at least one of the optical beam and the reflected optical beam and to generate an acceleration signal that is indicative of motion of the mirror resulting from an external acceleration acting upon the accelerometer housing. The system further includes an acceleration processor configured to calculate a magnitude of the external acceleration based on the acceleration signal.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system. The system includes a gyro cell that is sealed to enclose an alkali metal vapor, a first gyromagnetic isotope, and a second gyromagnetic isotope. A magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field that is provided through the gyro cell to cause the first and the second gyromagnetic isotopes to precess. A magnetic field error controller configured to measure an error associated with a magnitude of the magnetic field and to generate an error signal that is fed back to the magnetic field generator to maintain the magnetic field at a desired magnitude. The system further includes a mechanization processor configured to calculate a rotation angle about a sensitive axis of the NMR gyroscope system based on a measured precession angle of at least one of the first and second gyromagnetic isotopes and the error signal.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention includes a magnetic solenoid. The magnetic solenoid includes an elongated sidewall that extends between spaced apart ends. The elongated sidewall can surround a central axis that extends longitudinally along the sidewall. The elongated sidewall can have a radius that is defined by a compound equation that varies the radius as a function of position along the central axis.