Prof. Ronny Stolz and Dr. Theo Scholtes, Leibniz-Institut für Photonische Technologien e.V. (Leibniz-IPHT)

„The quantum magnetometry team at Leibniz-IPHT researches and develops ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensors using quantum effects in atomic vapours measured by laser spectroscopy. To transfer these methods from the laboratory to relevant application scenarios such as geophysics or biomedicine, we realise compact, energy-saving and self-sufficient sensor systems. For the selection of a new type of sensor for high-resolution measurement of the earth’s magnetic field, we did not have the expertise to implement application-specific digital sensor electronics based on an integrated FPGA data acquisition board. In contact with IMMS, their extensive expertise in the field of hardware-related programming became clear and so IMMS appeared to be the ideal partner for us. IMMS implemented the functionalities we needed, such as a lock-in amplifier, a phase-locked feedback loop and an active laser frequency stabilisation as an FPGA design. The communication of specifications and work progress went smoothly, as did the regular mutual coordination of the work. The documentation of the implementation was also done professionally and we are very pleased with the results: The demonstrator is already showing its superiority in the laboratory compared to commercially-available sensor systems and will soon be evaluated in application. We would very much like to continue the cooperation with IMMS in future joint projects.“