High-Range Scalar Helium Magnetometer (HSHM), Phase I

This SBIR Phase I proposal describes development of a conceptual design for a High-range Scalar Helium Magnetometer (HSHM) for the field range +/-16 Gauss. The HSHM conceptual design will establish the feasibility of a model brass-board HSHM in Phase II. The HSHM instrument is capable of making scalar measurements of Earth and planetary magnetic fields over a range of +/-16 G using a digital resonance loop design already demonstrated in the Juno SHM instrument. The major HSHM design innovation is use of a new fiber-coupled laser pump-source and resonance drive. The laser pump-source permits miniaturization of the sensor unit by eliminating three helium lamps and a helium cell, as well as the resonance RF drive cables and RF resonance coils at the sensor. This innovation permits reduction of the sensor volume by a factor of 10 while decreasing sensor power and mass. The HSHM can achieve a scalar accuracy of 1 nT, and sensitivity of 5 pT/%Hz. The Phase I conceptual design will guide the design and fabrication of a brass-board HSHM model using advanced laser and digital components in Phase II. A test and calibration protocol will be developed for the HSHM calibration in Phase II.

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.

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