title: Magnetometry with mesospheric sodium.
abstract: Measurement of magnetic fields on the few 100-km length scale is significant for many geophysical applications including mapping of crustal magnetism and ocean circulation measurements, yet available techniques for such measurements are very expensive or of limited accuracy. We propose a method for remote detection of magnetic fields using the naturally occurring atomic sodium-rich layer in the mesosphere and existing high-power lasers developed for laser guide star applications. The proposed method offers a dramatic reduction in cost and opens the way to large-scale, parallel magnetic mapping and monitoring for atmospheric science, navigation, and geophysics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Higbie
authors.forename: Simon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rochester
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holzlöhner
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bonaccini Calia
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Budker