Low-frequency magnetic fields are particularly well suited for imaging and sensing through dense and optically opaque structures, as materials such as biological tissue, rock, water, concrete, or the skull are largely transparent to these fields. This property provides a unique physical basis for non-invasive magnetic detection and imaging in a wide range of environments.

Quantum-gas magnetometers—especially sensors based on microfabricated platforms—open new opportunities for magnetic sensing and imaging. They combine high magnetic sensitivity with a compact form factor while eliminating the need for cryogenic cooling. This enables flexible sensor geometries, reduced system complexity, and robust operation in both laboratory and field settings.These advances support new capabilities across multiple application domains, including functional brain imaging (MEG), geophysical exploration and magnetic anomaly detection, surveillance and security-relevant sensing in GPS-denied environments, and space-based magnetic field measurements.

In this talk, I will  present our current research and development efforts toward realizing magnetic imaging systems based on quantum-gas magnetometers. I will discuss the underlying physical principles, sensor design and system architecture, and present initial results demonstrating the performance and scalability of this technology for applications ranging from biomedical imaging to space deployment.