Quantum Magnetometry for Enhanced Sensing in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

• Main Authors: Kocak, Donna M., Thayer, Benjamin, Stumvoll, Haley, Drakes, Jim, Hessenius, Chris
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; autonomous underwater vehicles; geomagnetic field; laser threshold magnetometry; Magnetic fields; Magnetic noise; Magnetic shielding; Magnetometers; multi-modal sensors; Navigation; nitrogen vacancy center; Quantum magnetometry; Sensitivity; Sensors; signal processing; Surveillance; Temperature measurement
• ISSN: 2996-1882
• DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS55160.2024.10753713

Quantum magnetometry has emerged as a promising technique for revolutionizing sensing capabilities in various fields, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). This abstract explores various methods of quantum magnetometry and their application to AUVs, focusing on its principles, challenges, and potential impacts. Quantum magnetometry leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to measure magnetic fields with high levels of sensitivity and precision. By utilizing the quantum properties of atomic systems, such as spin coherence and quantum superposition, quantum magnetometers can detect minute changes in magnetic fields, making them ideal for applications where high sensitivity is crucial. In the context of AUVs, quantum magnetometry offers several advantages over traditional sensing technologies. AUVs are deployed in diverse environments, including deep-sea exploration, marine surveillance, and underwater infrastructure inspection, where accurate detection and mapping of magnetic fields are essential for navigation, object detection, and environmental monitoring. However, traditional magnetometers often suffer from limited sensitivity, calibration requirements, susceptibility to noise, and bulky size, constraining the capabilities of AUVs. By integrating quantum magnetometers into AUVs, researchers aim to overcome these limitations and enhance their sensing capabilities. Quantum magnetometers, such as atomic vapor magnetometers (AVMs) and nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond among others, offer significant advantages compared to many traditional magnetometers. This may include heightened sensitivity that would enable AUVs to detect even weaker magnetic signals from underwater objects, geological formations, and natural phenomena with greater accuracy and reliability. Furthermore, quantum magnetometers exhibit fast response times and high spatial resolution, enabling AUVs to perform real-time mapping and localization tasks with high precision. These capabilities are particularly valuable for applications such as pipeline inspection, magnetic navigation (MagNav), and unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection and localization, where detailed mapping of magnetic anomalies is essential for decision-making and risk assessment. However, the integration of quantum magnetometers into AUVs presents several technical challenges. Miniaturization of quantum sensors without compromising performance is a significant hurdle, as AUVs require compact and lightweight