Low Power, Self Calibrated Vector Magnetometer, Phase I

This Phase I SBIR project investigates a novel approach to vector magnetometry based on high precision measurements of the total magnetic field. The calibration is based on the measurement of the Larmor frequency of an atomic vapor. The accuracy should be sufficient to determine the curl of the magnetic field from measurement points separated by about 80 meters. A novel magnetic modulation technique will be compared to the technique used in Cassini and Ulysses. Two methods for controlling the atomic density will be compared.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Precision vector and total field magnetometers for geological exploration and laboratory measurement. Low cost nuclear magnetic imaging.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.