Magnetometry using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in a Room Temperature Vapour Cell - Developing an Optical Magnetometer that Utilises the Steep Dispersion Curve Observed in EIT to Detect Time Varying Magnetic Fields

The physiological importance of magnetic signals within biological systems has been investigated with ever increasing sensitivities over the last decade. Currently superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are at the forefront of bio-magnetic diagnostics. In this research we aim to build an optics based magnetometer that can compete with the sensitivity of the SQUID but that runs at a lower start up and operational cost. To do this we intend to use the steep dispersion curve observed in the atomic physics effect electromagnetically induced transparency. This magnetometer can operate at room temperature, its design is a convenient method for monitoring bio-magnetic fields, making this technology an affordable technique for further bio-magnetic diagnostics.