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Sensors & Measurement · Recorded milestone

Atomic magnetometer

Recorded year2002

Laser-probed atomic vapour senses magnetic fields as faint as the brain's, with no cryogenic cooling.

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Built on

Quantum mechanicsRecorded · 1925enables
Integrated circuitRecorded · 1958requires
LaserRecorded · 1960enables

Led to

Networked quantum sensorsRecorded · 2016enables
Wearable quantum brain scannersRecorded · 2018enables
Quantum navigation sensorsRecorded · 2025enables
GPS-free quantum navigationForecast · ~2030enables
AI-found ore depositsForecast · ~2031enables
Axions caught or ruled outForecast · ~2063enables

Sources & evidence

Additional source

Dataset updated 2026-10-18. This individual record has not been separately re-reviewed.