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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 42: Atomic Systems in External Fields II

A 42.2: Vortrag

Freitag, 6. März 2026, 11:15–11:30, N 3

Drone Integration of an Optically Pumped Magnetometer for Airborne Magnetic Field Sensing — •Ruggero Giampaoli, Ingo Hilschenz, Gunnar Langfahl, Denis Uhland, and Ilja Gerhardt — light & matter group, Institute for Solid State Physics, Leibniz University Hannover, Appelstrasse 2, D-30167 Hannover, Germany

We report on the integration and testing of a compact, alkali-vapor optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) mounted on an unshielded drone platform for magnetic field measurements in flight. The system is intended for use in applications such as mineral exploration, landmine detection, and unexploded ordnance detection. The system features a rubidium-based vapor OPM, which operates at high sampling rates suitable for drone operation. The design focuses on producing a robust, flexible and portable setup, allowing the testing of different configurations and components to ensure seamless integration with the onboard electronics. A flight-test campaign is conducted to assess the performance of the magnetometer in flight and to establish a basis for future refinement toward a full airborne gradiometer configuration. We discuss the integration process, key engineering challenges, and initial test results, outlining progress toward the robust real-world deployment of an optically pumped magnetometer.

Keywords: Optically pumped magnetometer (OPM); unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); alkali-vapor; unshielded magnetic field sensing; unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection