Zeeman-coherence Parametric Wave-Mixing Magnetometry

Human cardiovascular and brain activities produce extremely weak pulsed magnetic field strengths at sub-nanoTesla (nT) levels which travel via various nervous systems to deliver and exchange information between live biological systems. The ability to map weak magnetic field pulses in situ under ambient conditions will provide a unique window into live physiological processes. Measurement of magnetic field changes in nerve systems, especially in the regeneration phase of damaged nerves, memory degradation processes, and visual signal transfer and conversion processes would significantly advance our understanding of how biological systems communicate. Here, we report a novel magnetometry technology that results in an unprecedented sub-nT, shield-less, body-temperature, parametric-wave-mixing-enhanced atomic magnetometer, opening possibilities for extremely sensitive magnetic field mapping of biological systems accessible via an optical fiber, even in a complex electromagnetic environment.