A magneto-optical defect center magnetometer, such as a diamond nitrogen vacancy (DNV) magnetometer, can include an excitation source, a magneto-optical defect center element, a collection device, a top plate, a bottom plate, and a printed circuit board. The excitation source, the magneto-optical defect center element, and the collection device are each mounted to the printed circuit board

A system for magnetic detection, includes a magneto-optical defect center material comprising a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, a radio frequency (RF) excitation source, an optical detector and an optical light source. The RF excitation source is configured to provide RF excitation to the material. The optical detector is configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the material. The optical light source is configured to provide optical light to the material, and includes a readout optical light source and a reset optical light source. The readout optical light source is configured to illuminate light in a first illumination volume of the material. The reset optical light source is configured to illuminate light in a second illumination volume of the material, the second illumination volume being larger than and encompassing the first illumination volume. The reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source.

A system for magnetic detection, includes a magneto-optical defect center material comprising a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, a radio frequency (RF) excitation source, an optical detector and an optical light source. The RF excitation source is configured to provide RF excitation to the material. The optical detector is configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the material. The optical light source is configured to provide optical light to the material, and includes a readout optical light source and a reset optical light source. The readout optical light source is configured to illuminate light in a first illumination volume of the material. The reset optical light source is configured to illuminate light in a second illumination volume of the material, the second illumination volume being larger than and encompassing the first illumination volume. The reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source.

A system includes a plurality of magnetometers that are each configured to generate a vector measurement of a magnetic field. The system also includes a central processing unit that is communicatively coupled to each of the magnetometers. The central processing unit is configured to receive from each of the plurality of magnetometers the respective vector measurement of the magnetic field. The central processing unit is further configured to compare each of the vector measurements to determine differences in the vector measurements and to determine, based on the differences in the vector measurements, that a magnetic object is near the plurality of magnetometers.

A system includes a plurality of magnetometers that are each configured to generate a vector measurement of a magnetic field. The system also includes a central processing unit that is communicatively coupled to each of the magnetometers. The central processing unit is configured to receive from each of the plurality of magnetometers the respective vector measurement of the magnetic field. The central processing unit is further configured to compare each of the vector measurements to determine differences in the vector measurements and to determine, based on the differences in the vector measurements, that a magnetic object is near the plurality of magnetometers.

Systems and methods using a magneto-optical defect center material magnetic sensor system that uses fluorescence intensity to distinguish the m.sub.s=±1 states, and to measure the magnetic field based on the energy difference between the m.sub.s=+1 state and the m.sub.s=−1 state, as manifested by the RF frequencies corresponding to each state in some embodiments. The system may include an optical excitation source, which directs optical excitation to the material. The system may further include an RF excitation source, which provides RF radiation to the material. Light from the material may be directed through a light pipe to an optical detector. Light from the material may be directed through an optical filter to an optical detector.

Systems and methods using a magneto-optical defect center material magnetic sensor system that uses fluorescence intensity to distinguish the m.sub.s=±1 states, and to measure the magnetic field based on the energy difference between the m.sub.s=+1 state and the m.sub.s=−1 state, as manifested by the RF frequencies corresponding to each state in some embodiments. The system may include an optical excitation source, which directs optical excitation to the material. The system may further include an RF excitation source, which provides RF radiation to the material. Light from the material may be directed through a light pipe to an optical detector. Light from the material may be directed through an optical filter to an optical detector.

A system for magnetic detection includes a magneto-optical defect center material comprising a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, a radio frequency (RF) excitation source, an optical detector, and an optical light source. The RF excitation source is configured to provide RF excitation to the material. The optical detector is configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the material. The optical light source includes a readout optical light source configured to provide optical excitation to the material to transition relevant magneto-optical defect center electrons to excited spin states in the material, and a reset optical light source configured to provide optical light to the material to reset spin states in the material to a ground state. The reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source.

A system for magnetic detection includes a magneto-optical defect center material comprising a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, a radio frequency (RF) excitation source, an optical detector, and an optical light source. The RF excitation source is configured to provide RF excitation to the material. The optical detector is configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the material. The optical light source includes a readout optical light source configured to provide optical excitation to the material to transition relevant magneto-optical defect center electrons to excited spin states in the material, and a reset optical light source configured to provide optical light to the material to reset spin states in the material to a ground state. The reset optical light source provides a higher power light than the readout optical light source.

A system for magnetic detection includes a magneto-optical defect center material comprising a plurality of magneto-optical defect centers, an optical light source, an optical detector and a radio frequency (RF) excitation source. The optical light source is configured to provide optical excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material. The optical detector is configured to receive an optical signal emitted by the magneto-optical defect center material, The RF excitation source is configured to provide RF excitation to the magneto-optical defect center material. The RF excitation source includes an RF feed connector, and a plurality of coils, each connected to the RF feed connector, and adjacent the magneto-optical defect center material, the coils each having a spiral shape.