CS-3

Scintrex Cesium Vapor Magnetometer Sensor

OPERATION
MANUAL

SCINTREX

CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0

Rev Description of change ECO Date of issue App
1.0 Initial Release Feb 21, 2002 G.H.
2.0 Additional information Nov 30, 2005 G.M.
3.0 Additional information Oct 30, 2006 G.M.
4.0 Additional information 4405 Jan 18, 2007 R.L.
CS-3
Scintrex Cesium Vapor Magnetometer Sensor

Operation Manual

CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0

SCINTREX LIMITED
HEAD OFFICE
SCINTREX Limited
222 Snidercroft Road
Unit #1
Concord, Ontario
Canada, L4K 2K1
tel: +1 905 669 2280
fax: +1 905 669 6403
e-mail:
scintrex@[Link]

World-wide web: [Link]

Copyright © SCINTREX Limited 2005. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photo-copying, recording, or otherwise, without prior consent from
SCINTREX Limited.

Document Part No. 762701, Revision 3.0

Printed and bound in Canada

CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0

Foreword

Getting Started
About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Page Numbering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Type Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Chapter Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Understanding Instrument Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Sensor Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Sensor Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Old version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
New2nd Draft
version ...................................................... 1-9

Operating the CS-3 in the Field

Setting Up the CS-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Table of Contents
Mounting the CS-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2
Powering Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Obtaining the Larmor Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
2nd
Setting the Operating Hemisphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Operating in the Presence of Spurious Magnetic Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9

Orienting Your CS-3

Understanding the Active Zone of the CS-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Using a Strapped Down CS-3 for Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Calculating the Tumble Angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Recommended Survey Orientations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Comparison with the Locked Oscillator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20

Maintaining Your CS-3 and Trouble-shooting

Trouble-shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Reference Information
CS-3 Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Instrument Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
CS-3 Standard Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Warranty and Repair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

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 Shipping Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Appendix A: Theory of Operation

System Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Appendix B: CS-3 Block Diagram

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 Foreword
Foreword

The CS-3 is an optically pumped cesium vapor magnetometer sensor used for
scalar measurement of the Earth's magnetic field. As shown below, the CS-3
sensor consists of a sensor head with cable and sensor electronics.

Figure 1: CS-3 Magnetometer Sensor

The system excels in a variety of applications (ex. airborne, satellite, marine
and ground magnetometry or gradiometry, base station magnetometry and
ferrous ordnance location) due to its:
• high sensitivity
• high cycling rates
• excellent gradient tolerance
• continuous output
• automatic hemisphere switching

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 • fast response
• low susceptibility to the electromagnetic interference
Magnetic field measurements performed by the CS-3 is based on quantum
mechanics principles, and the phenomena of optical pumping and
self-oscillation. When properly oriented in relation to the ambient magnetic
field, cesium vapor in the sensor oscillates continuously by itself without any
assistance. The frequency of oscillation (defined as the Larmor frequency) is
proportional to the ambient magnetic field.
The sensor outputs a signal at the Larmor frequency which is normally
processed by an external magnetometer processor linked to the system. The
magnetometer processor converts the Larmor frequency into digital magnetic
field readings and presents them for display and recording. Modern magnetic
processors have a resolution of 0.001 nT and read 10 times each second or
faster.
In summary, the CS-3 offers distinct and substantial benefits in measurement
of magnetic fields due to the principles of both optical pumping and
self-oscillation. These advantages are described in the next two sections.

Advantages of Optical Pumping

These benefits are shared by all well designed optically pumped
magnetometers regardless of which atoms (cesium, rubidium, potassium or
helium) are being pumped, and regardless which of two principles of
operation is utilized (self oscillation, or locked oscillation).

High Sensitivity
Due to the narrow resonant linewidth and good signal to noise ratio the
sensitivity of optically pumped magnetometers is in the range of few pT
(1pT=0.001nT) in the measuring bandwidth of 1Hz. In contrast to the proton
precession magnetometers, the sensitivity does not deteriorate as the
measured ambient field decreases.

Continuous Signal
The operation of the optically pumped magnetometers is not cyclic. Highly
sensitive readings could be obtained at the high repetition rate.

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 High Gradient Tolerance

Foreword
Absorption cells of the optically pumped magnetometers in which the
detection of the ambient field is taking place are normally much smaller than
the sensors of proton precession (including Overhauser) magnetometers.
Consequently, the field gradients over the sensor volume are much smaller
and the proper operation of the magnetometer is much less affected, e.g. the
volume of the CS-3 absorption cell is only 0.006 liters.

Low Radiated Electromagnetic Interference

Sensors of the optically pumped magnetometers radiate low disturbing EM
fields. The H1 field is the order of 10 nT. The RF field for the lamp excitation
is well
2ndconfined
Draft and of the high frequency - around 165 MHz for the CS-3.

Insensitivity to Motion Induced Doppler Effects

Irregular motion of the platform carrying the sensor modulates (adds to) the
precession
2
frequency and introduces noise into the measurements of the
magnetic field.
Proton2ndprecession (including Overhauser) magnetometers are affected to a
much greater degree by motion noise due to much lower gyromagnetic
constant, e.g. in the ambient magnetic field of 50,000nT the Larmor
frequency of the CS-3 is 175,000Hz, which is 82 times larger than 2100Hz,
the precession frequency of the proton magnetometer.

Advantages of Self Oscillation

Use of the self-oscillating principle of operation results in the following
additional benefits not available from optically pumped magnetometers using
locked oscillator principle of operation:

Fast Start-up
If the sensor head is properly oriented inside its active operating zone, the
CS-3 will start oscillating shortly after it is turned on. The warm-up time is
determined by the time required for the electronically controlled heaters to
bring the absorption cell and the cesium lamp to the proper operating
temperature.

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 The warm-up is over in few minutes after a cold start. However, if the
operating temperature is already established, it takes only few milliseconds
for the magnetometer to start oscillating after a turn on or after an orientation
change from a dead zone into the active zone.
In contrast, a locked oscillator magnetometer invariably contains a voltage
controlled oscillator (VCO), whose frequency in normal operation is forced
(locked) by the control electronics to follow the resonant Larmor frequency.
However, at every start-up, cold or warm, before the locking is acquired, the
VCO frequency has to be swept relatively slowly until it comes close enough
to the Larmor frequency. Then the locking takes place and the magnetometer
becomes operational.
Note that the Larmor frequency is known beforehand only coarsely and
consequently this search process takes several seconds. The same search
procedure takes place if the lock is lost because of a fast field change or a
disturbing AC magnetic field.

Fast Response and Tracking

The response of a self-oscillating magnetometer to the magnetic field
changes is extremely fast. It has been experimentally determined that the
Larmor frequency precisely changed in response to the step changes of
several thousand nT within a Larmor period. Equally, the magnetometer
followed sinusoidal field changes of the amplitude of hundreds nT at the rate
of several kHz without appreciable lag in response.
In contrast, the rate of ambient field change, which a locked oscillator
magnetometer could follow without losing lock, is much smaller. In addition,
spurious fields, either AC (50-400Hz) or pulsed, in the range of several
hundred nT cause the magnetometer to lose lock.

Low Susceptibility to Electromagnetic Fields

The susceptibility to spurious EM fields depends very much on the principle
of operation. Most widely encountered spurious fields originate from the
power lines and the airborne geophysical EM systems, and are in the
frequency range of 50Hz to several thousand Hz. In general, the
susceptibility increases greatly as the frequency of the interfering field
approaches the operating (Larmor, proton precession) frequency.
Proton precession magnetometers (including Overhauser) have low
susceptibility for two reasons:
• they use induction coils to detected proton precession

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• the interfering EM field are normally at the frequencies close to the proton

Foreword
precession frequency.
Neither of above liabilities apply for optically pumped magnetometers
because:
• signal detection is optical
• the interfering frequencies are normally far from the Larmor frequency.
In addition, the susceptibility of the self-oscillating magnetometer is low,
because its feedback loop is very simple and fast, allowing it to respond with
little lag to the fast changing fields.
In contrast, the locked oscillator response is much slower because its control
loop frequency bandwidth is limited to few hundred Hz. Furthermore, the
2nd Draft
feedback control is achieved by monitoring a modulating signal, which
frequency is in the range of one hundred Hz, and which detection could be
readily upset by the interfering EM fields.
For either of above reasons, the locked oscillator may lose lock and become
temporary
2 non-functional for few seconds in presence of a spurious EM field.

Superior
2nd Worldwide Orienting Capabilities
The analysis presented in Chapter 3, “Orienting Your CS-3” proves that,
contrary to the widely accepted belief, a well designed self-oscillating
magnetometer is as easy to orient as the locked oscillator. Even more
important, it offers wider safety margins to the boundaries of operating zone,
than the locked oscillator.

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 xii
CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
 1 Getting

Startup
Started

About this manual

Page Numbering
The numbering scheme used consists of two parts: the chapter number and
page number. For example, 3-1 would refer to chapter 3, page 1.
For your convenience, each chapter has a thumb-tab on the right-hand side
allowing you to quickly locate a chapter of interest. The thumb-tabs are
arranged in descending order, with Chapter 1 always starting at the top.

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Getting Started

Type Styles
The following typeface conventions will be used throughout the manual.

Convention Use
Bold Italic Indicates an action to be taken

Italic Denotes a new term being introduced

ALL CAPS Denotes the name of a screen, key or mode (function)

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 About this manual

Chapter Layout
This manual is divided into six chapters and four appendices with the
information flow detailed in the following table.

Chapter Description
1. Getting Started Gives an overview of the manual and describes the
instrument’s components.

Startup
2. Operations Tells how to set up your CS-3 for a survey, including how
to mount and operate the system.
[Link] Gives a detailed theoretical and practical review of the
considerations for orienting the instrument to obtain best
results.
4. Maintenance Gives a brief overview of how to maintain and
trouble-shoot your system.
[Link] Contains the technical specifications, instrument parts
list and warranty information.
[Link] of Explains the scientific and instrumentation theory for the
Operation CS-3 instrument.

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Getting Started

Symbols
The following symbols will be used to highlight specific sections of text
throughout the manual.

Symbol Meaning
Warning:
Denotes an important point concerning safety

Important:
Indicates a important topic, particular attention should be
paid to this section

Note:
Denotes a point of interest, or information you should read

Tip:
Denotes an interesting hint for smoother operation

Question:
Indicates a relevant question concerning an important
topic

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 Understanding Instrument Basics

Understanding Instrument Basics

The CS-3 Magnetometer Sensor consists of a sensor head and sensor
electronics that are interconnected by a cable. This section provides
schematics and descriptions for each of these components and their
subsystems.

Sensor Head

Startup
The sensor head houses electro-optical detection system. All the parts of the
sensor head, including the outside plastic housing, are made of carefully
screened nonmagnetic materials. The following figure shows a schematic of
the sensor head.

Figure 2 - Schematic of the sensor head

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Getting Started

Important:

To minimize the static magnetic interference from

the electronic components which are slightly
magnetic, the sensor head should be kept away from
the electronics assembly by the full cable length.
The actual measurement of the ambient magnetic field takes place inside the
absorption cell which has diameter 22mm, and the length 25mm. The
position of the cell's centre is marked by a narrow groove, machined on the
outside of the plastic cylindrical housing. The adjacent wider grove is
provided to facilitate secure grip for the mounting clamps.
The interconnecting cable exits at the right angle on the top end of the sensor
head. For properly orienting the sensor head as described in Chapter 3,
“Orienting Your CS-3”, it is important to know the direction of the optical
axis. In Figure 1 on page vii, the direction of the optical axis is depicted in
relation to the outside mechanical features of the sensor head.
The sensor head housing provides an air/water tight enclosure for the sensor
components, and it should not be opened. In addition, critical optical
components inside the sensor head are carefully aligned in order to minimize
the orientation errors, and opening the sensor head by unqualified people
may upset the alignment.

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 Understanding Instrument Basics

Sensor Electronics
The sensor electronics are housed in a cylindrical container as shown in the
following schematic.

Startup
CS-3 ELECTRONIC HOUSING

Figure 3 - Schematic of the electronics housing

The electronics consist of three major subsystems:
• Larmor amplifier
• Lamp and absorption cell heaters
• RF lamp exciter
The RF exciter generates few watts of RF power at the frequency of about
165MHz. In order to keep the radiated electromagnetic interference low, the
exciter is located inside a metallic enclosure. In addition, all the sensor
electronic systems are enclosed inside a cylindrical, metal box.

Electronic Housing
Internally, the sensor electronic housing is connected to the negative line of
the input supply voltage. If the negative side of the power supply, which
provides the power for the CS-3, is grounded to the frame of the vehicle, and
if the electronic box of the CS-3 makes an electrical contact to the same
frame, then the return current could flow partially through the frame instead
of being confined to the return line inside the supply cable.

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Getting Started

The stray magnetic field created by this current could corrupt the
measurement of the ambient field. To prevent that happening, the outside of
the electronics box is covered with a thin, plastic insulating sleeve.

Important:

Please, make sure that this plastic sleeve is not

damaged to such an extent that the metal part of the
CS-3 electronics housing is making contact to a
metal part of the airplane or vehicle frame.
The sensor head connector is mounted on one side panel of the electronic
box. On the opposite side, following components are mounted on the control
panel, see Figure 4.

Hemisphere Control Switch

The hemisphere control switch is a four-position rotary switch as shown
below. Please note that depending upon the version of your Cs-3, you will
have either version.

OLD VERSION NEW VERSION

Figure 4 - Schematic of the hemisphere control switch

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 Understanding Instrument Basics

Old version
The swich settings perform the following functions:
N - Manually sets the CS-3 to operate in northern operating hemisphere.
S - Manually sets the CS-3 to operate in southern operating hemisphere.
L - Local setting allows the operation of the CS-3 to be controlled by the
TTL voltage level at the pin D of the four pin connector (pin A is ground):
open circuited or high level voltage for operation in southern hemisphere,

Startup
low level voltage or short connected to pin A for operation in northern
operating hemisphere.
R - (JP3 - OFF, JP2 - ON). Remote setting allows the operation of the CS-3
to be controlled remotely by superimposing on the supply voltage an 80Hz
sine signal. In the absence of the signal, the CS-3 is set to operate in the
northern hemisphere.
R - (JP3 - ON, JP2 - OFF). Automatic hemisphere switch.

Note:

JP2 and JP3 refer to jumpers on the Larmor board.

New version
The swich settings perform the following functions:
N - Manually sets the CS-3 to operate in northern operating hemisphere.
S - Manually sets the CS-3 to operate in southern operating hemisphere.
R - Remote setting allows the operation of the CS-3 to be controlled by the
TTL voltage level at the pin D of the four pin connector (pin A is ground):
open circuited or high level voltage for operation in southern hemisphere,
low level voltage or short connected to pin A for operation in northern
operating hemisphere.
A - Automatic hemisphere switch.

I/O Connector
Four pins of the I/O connector carry following signals:

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Getting Started

A - ground level
B - positive input of the supply voltage +24 to 35 V; this input is connected in
parallel to the centre pin of the coaxial TNC power connector on the same
panel
C - Larmor output signal, TTL compatible square voltage signal at Larmor
frequency
D - TTL compatible input: high level or open for operation in the southern
operating hemisphere, low level or connected to pin A for operation in the
northern hemisphere. This input is effective only if the Hemisphere Control
switch is in the Remote (R) position.

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2
Operating the

Operations
CS-3 in the
Field

By now you have familiarized yourself with your CS-3. This chapter reviews
the basic steps required to carry out a survey. They include the following:
• setting up the CS-3
• mounting the CS-3
• powering up
• obtaining the Larmor frequency
• setting the operating hemisphere
• operating in the presence of spurious magnetic fields

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Operating the CS-3 in the Field

Setting Up the CS-3

The basic procedure for setting up the CS-3 is as follows:
• mount the sensor in the vehicle according to the mounting instructions (see
below)
• connect the sensor head to the electronics via the supplied cable

Note:

To minimize the static magnetic interference from

the electronic components which are slightly
magnetic, the sensor head should be kept away from
the electronics assembly by the full cable length. If
the electronics is kept at 3 meters away from the
sensor head, its magnetic signature is less than
0.1nT.
• make sure that you have between 24 and 35V of power to the device
• connect the CS-3 to the power connector (i.e. link to your power supply, data
acquisition unit or coupler)
• turn on the power
Warning:

BEFORE THE POWER IS APPLIED TO THE

CS-3, THE CONNECTOR AT THE END OF THE
SENSOR HEAD CABLE HAS TO BE
CONNECTED TO THE MATING SOCKET
LOCATED AT THE ELECTRONICS BOX SIDE
PLATE. THIS CONNECTOR SHOULD NEVER
BE DISCONNECTED WHILE THE POWER IS
APPLIED TO THE CS-3. DOING SO WILL
RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE RF
EXCITER AND WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.
• let the unit warm up for a designated warm up period to enable the lamp and
heaters to stabilize (i.e. stabilize the optics)
The remainder of this chapter provides more details that will help you with
installation and start-up.

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 Setting Up the CS-3

Mounting the CS-3

The quality of data depends greatly on the quality of the installation. Our
advice is to obtain the services of a highly skilled systems engineer for the
installation of all magnetometer sensors and associated survey
instrumentation. There are numerous factors related to aircraft,
instrumentation and custom modifications that may be required to achieve a
successful installation.
In general, when mounting a high sensitivity sensor such as the CS-3, you
should consider the following guidelines:
• Secure the sensor so that it is rigid during aircraft motion. The use of a
proper gimbal is highly recommended. The gimbal makes changing the
orientation easier and also provides a secure base for operating the sensor.
• Keep the sensor as far as possible away from moving surfaces or magnetic
inducing objects.

Operations
• Screen all hardware used in proximity of the sensor for ferrous
contamination.
• Minimize the amount of conductive hardware, such as brass screws and
aluminum, as they will introduce a secondary field when they are in motion
through the earth field.
• Although the sensor electronics have a minimal magnetic signature, keep the
electronics as far away as possible from the sensor.
• Always ensure that the cable between the sensor and electronics is physically
secured.
• Do not coil the cable to take up slack. If necessary, all slack should be at the
preamplifier electronics end of the installation.
• Always ensure that there is adequate ventilation at both the sensor head and
the preamplifier electronics. This is especially critical when operating in hot
climates.
• Keep the sensor away from direct exposure to weather elements and keep it
clean from debris.
• Ensure that there is adequate static discharge available along the surrounding
surfaces of the aircraft installation. In dry conditions, static will build along
the flying surfaces and create noticeable “pop” noise in the data during
discharges.
• Do not place secondary sensors, such as a fluxgate magnetometer, in very
close proximity to the cesium sensor.

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Operating the CS-3 in the Field

Powering Up
The power for the CS-3 should be supplied from a DC supply 24-35V, 2A
minimum supply capability. The power can be connected either through
either:
• the coaxial TNC connector by a 50 ohm coaxial cable (centre pin positive
wire)
• the four pin I/O connector, on pins B (positive wire) and A (negative wire).
The sensor electronics is protected from an accidental polarity reversal on
both power inputs.
The green light on the side panel indicates that the power is applied to the
sensor electronics. Initially, after the power-up, the red indicator light glows
for a short while to indicate that the cesium lamp located inside the sensor
has not yet reached proper operating level.
Normally, this indicator light will go off completely indicating that the
cesium lamp is radiating sufficient light. At 25°C it takes normally only few
seconds for this light to go off. At a low ambient temperature, it may take
longer for the lamp exciter to warm up and for the lamp to start to operate
properly.
At the beginning of the cold start-up, the power supply current will be
highest, approximately 1.5A, as the cell and the lamp heater are operating at
the full output capacity. As the cell and the lamp are approaching the required
stabilized operating temperature, the supply current will decrease and it will
reach steady level which is ambient temperature dependent.
At the 20°C the supply current will be approx. 0.5A, at -40°C it is approx.
0.7A. The warm-up time is less than 5 minutes at 20°C, increasing to less
than 15 minutes at -40°C.
Warning:

Make sure that power line voltage is in the specified

range and clean without transients. Under voltage
will cause interruptions or loss of larmor signal.
Over voltage will cause serious permanent damages
to your CS-3 and warranty will be void.

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 Obtaining the Larmor Signal

Obtaining the Larmor Signal

If the sensor head is properly oriented inside its active operating zone, as
described in Chapter 3, “Orienting Your CS-3”, the CS-3 will start oscillating
shortly after it is turned on, as soon as the absorption cell and the cesium
lamp reach the operating temperature.

Note:

If the operating temperature is already established, it

takes only few milliseconds for the magnetometer to
start oscillating after a warm power-up or after an
orientation change from a dead zone into the active
zone.
The frequency of oscillation is called the Larmor frequency. The Larmor

Operations
frequency is proportional to the magnitude of the ambient magnetic field.
The constant of proportionality, which relates the magnitude of the ambient
magnetic field to the Larmor frequency, is known as the gyromagnetic
constant and for the cesium 133 it equals 3.498577Hz/nT.
The amplitude of the output signal of the CS-3 is kept nearly constant
(+/-15% variation is due to the transformer frequency characteristic) by
electronic means for magnetometer orientations inside the active zone, in
spite of:
• the amplitude changes of the light modulation (original Larmor signal) with
the magnetometer orientation and
• the amplitude versus frequency dependence of the Larmor amplifier
electronics.

Output Signals
The output signals at the Larmor frequency are available in two formats:
• square wave signal with TTL/CMOS logical levels is available at the I/O
connector, pin C, with the ground at pin A. Fast transitions of the square
wave make this output much less susceptible than the sinewave output to the
system noises like ground line noise. The output driving capability of this
output restricts the maximum cable length of the RG-58 coaxial cable to 8
meters. An external line driver is required if the signal is to be transmitted
over the longer distance.

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Operating the CS-3 in the Field

• sinewave Larmor signal is transformer coupled inside the sensor electronics

box on to the D.C. power supply line. This is done in a similar way as in the
older models of Varian and Scintrex cesium vapor magnetometers. The only
difference that the output amplitude of the CS-3 is electronically stabilized to
be independent of the sensor orientation or slightly dependent of the Larmor
frequency over the range of 50-350kHz. This additional feature will prevent
the sensitivity of the magnetometer to deteriorate more than necessary in
presence of the power supply noise. The power supply noise affects more the
signal with the lower amplitude.

Couplers, Processors and Power Supplies

In older magnetometers the output amplitude was varying as much as 10:1.
The CS-3 magnetometer could easily replace, as far as the power and signal
conditioning is concerned, the older models without any changes to the
existing equipment such as sensor couplers, magnetometer processors, power
supplies.
The only incompatibility is in the control of the operating hemisphere, as it
will be explained in the next section. The Larmor signal coupled on the
coaxial power cable could be transmitted to the processor (decoupler) over
the distance of up 100 meters before it is decoupled by a transformer.
Many of modern magnetometer processors, such as Scintrex MEP series of
processors, incorporate the power and signal conditioning circuits such as the
regulated power supply and the sensor decoupler. One has to just connect the
coaxial power cable to the appropriate power output connector and the
installation is complete. The supply current is measured and displayed, as
well.
For more detailed information, please, refer to the specific processor
operating manual. The MEP series of processors obsoletes the older
generation of Scintrex self standing sensor couplers such as VIW2340A1 or
VIW2340D4, but they still could be used in existing installations to decouple
the Larmor signal from the CS-3.

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 Setting the Operating Hemisphere

Setting the Operating Hemisphere

It has been briefly explained why the operation of the CS-3 is divided in two
operating hemispheres in Chapter 1, “Getting Started with the CS-3”.
Chapter 3, “Orienting Your CS-3” defines the operating hemispheres in more
detail, and provides instructions on how to orient the sensor head.
Here, we explain how the operator can control the setting of the operating
hemisphere. The Hemisphere Control switch is used to select the mode of
control. FOUR modes of control of the operating hemisphere setting are
available:

Manual Control
Two positions of the Hemisphere Control switch are used for the manual
control:

Operations
• in position "N" the CS-3 is set manually to operate in the northern operating
hemisphere.
• in position "S" the CS-3 is set manually to operate in the southern operating
hemisphere.

Electronic Control "R"

In the position "R" of the Hemisphere switch, the setting of the operating
hemisphere is actuated by the TTL compatible control voltage level at the pin
D of the four pin I/O connector: open circuited or high level voltage for
setting the operation in southern hemisphere, low level voltage or short
connection to the pin A for operation in northern operating hemisphere.
The control voltage could be supplied to the connector pins D and A through
a coaxial cable or a pair of twisted wires. The length of the cable or the wires
is not critical, as the control voltage is D.C. signal.

“A” - Automatic Hemisphere Switch

In the position “A” of the hemisphere switch, the CS-3 is operating in
automatic hemisphere switching mode.

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Operating the CS-3 in the Field

Summary
If the CS-3 is properly oriented inside the active zone, defined by equations
(1) and (2) in Chapter 3, “Orienting Your CS-3”, and the operating
hemisphere is not set properly either of following will happen:
• There will be no Larmor signal at the output. By setting the operation to the
proper operating hemisphere, the Larmor signal will appear.
• There will be signal at the output, but not at the Larmor frequency. The false
magnetic field reading will be higher than the true reading, obtained when
the operating hemisphere setting is correct (about 60nT higher if the ambient
field is 60,000nT). In addition, it will be much noisier.
The reason for this is the existence of another resonant line, smaller in
amplitude and opposite in phase from the desired resonant signal. The
self-oscillation based on this signal can take place if the operating
hemisphere is wrongly selected. By setting the operation to the proper
operating hemisphere, the true, lower value and less noisier, magnetic field
reading will be obtained.
The described alternative modes of controlling the operating hemisphere of
the CS-3 are incompatible with the optional electronic control used in older
models of Varian and Scintrex magnetometers.
The reversing of the magnetometer power supply polarity, used in these older
magnetometer models, had certain disadvantages and it was abandoned in the
CS-3. It is not difficult to change the existing installations by rewiring the
switch used for the power supply reversal and to make it perform level
control required by the electronic control mode "R", as described in this
section, or by automatic hemisphere switching.

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 Operating in the Presence of Spurious Magnetic Fields

Operating in the Presence of

Spurious Magnetic Fields
It is not uncommon for magnetometers to be required to operate in presence
of higher magnitude (over 50nT) alternating magnetic fields. These fields are
present close to the power lines, and in the survey airplanes equipped with
EM transmitters.
Before it is explained how the AC magnetic fields could upset the operation
of a real magnetometer, specifically the CS-3, it is worth mentioning that
readings of an ideal scalar magnetometer can be affected by an AC field. The
alternating field adds vectorially to the D.C. field to be measured.
Due to the nonlinearity of the vector addition (squaring and taking square
root) one observes an error. If the AC field b(coswt) has a component
bp(coswt) at right angle to the D.C. field B, one measures effectively the

Operations
mean value equal to Be=B[1+(bp/2B)2].
For gaining more insight, the effective mean value is tabled for B=50000nT
and several values of bp:

bp[nT] 0 100 200 500 10000

Be[nT] 50000.00 50000.05 50000.20 50001.25 50005.00

If the magnitude or the orientation of the AC field changes, the effective

mean value will change as well.
The CS-3, as explained the “Foreword” of this manual, is much less sensitive to
the spurious AC fields than either the proton precession (including
Overhauser) magnetometers or the locked oscillator optically pumped
magnetometers.
In the CS-3, the spurious AC field affects the precession of the magnetic
moment similarly to the H1 field. More information is provided in Appendix
A, “Theory of Operation”. If the AC field is large enough it will provoke
considerable light modulation at its own frequency. Further away the
spurious field frequency is from the Larmor frequency larger magnitude is
required to cause trouble. If this light modulation becomes comparable in
amplitude to the normal modulation induced by the feedback field H1, the
operation of the CS-3 may be seriously affected.

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Operating the CS-3 in the Field

It is important to mention that the disturbing effect is reduced, if the direction

of the spurious AC field is perpendicular to the sensor optical axis. It has
been experimentally determined that in this case the tested magnetometer
operated satisfactory in presence of the disturbing field with magnitude
3500nT peak at the frequency 3kHz.
The operating range of the tumble angle, in the plane perpendicular to the
direction of the spurious field, was reduced from 10°-85° (without the AC
field) to 25°-65° (with the AC field).

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3 Orienting
Your CS-3

An ideal magnetometer placed in a constant field should produce a constant

frequency. A real optically pumped magnetometer, regardless of which
element it uses for its operation (cesium, rubidium, potassium or helium), and
regardless of which principle of operation it employs (self oscillating, locked
oscillator), produces a frequency which varies because:
• the unavoidable sensor noise makes the frequency jitter around the correct

Orientation
frequency
• the output frequency is somewhat dependent on the magnetometer
orientation
The later dependency gives rise to the so-called heading error. Both, the
magnetometer noise and the heading error, are low due to proper design and
careful alignment of the magnetometer. Precautions should be taken that they
are sustained low by properly orienting the magnetometer sensor inside the
operating active zone.
The purpose of this section is to recommend how to achieve the proper
orientation without restricting established survey practices.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Understanding the Active Zone of the CS-3

The sensor head assembly has a so called optical axis. The angle between the
positive direction of the optical axis and the direction of the magnetic field,
Ho, is called the tumble angle, q.
As explained in Appendix A, “Theory of Operation”, there is no Larmor
signal generated in a self-oscillating magnetometer such as the CS-3 if
the optical axis is parallel to the magnetic field (the polar orientation,
q=0° or q=180°) or perpendicular to the field (the equatorial orientation,
q=90°).
The optical signal amplitude increases quite rapidly outside those two
orientations, and it has a broad maximum around q=40° or q=140°.

Note:

The Larmor signal amplitude generated inside the

sensor head is not to be confused with the signal
output of the CS-3 available either inside the
electronics assembly or at the output of the
PDAS-1000A Power Signal Coupler. The Larmor
signal amplitude at these outputs is electronically
kept constant, in spite of the variations of Larmor
signal itself and the amplitude variation of the
detection and amplification circuits.
Experimental results confirm that the CS-3 will perform satisfactorily when
the angle q is from:
10° < q < 85° (1)
and from
95° < q < 170° (2)
Equation (1) covers the magnetometer's active zone in the northern operating
hemisphere. This active zone is depicted in Figure A-2. The measured
magnetic field could be anywhere inside the space bound by the northern
polar dead zone cone and the equatorial dead zone "disk".
Note, that the polar sensor orientation occurs when the sensor optical axis is
parallel with the ambient magnetic field. In the northern polar orientation the
magnetic field and the sensor optical axis point in the same direction (q=0°),

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in the southern polar orientation they point in the opposite directions
(q=180°). The equatorial orientation occurs when the optical axis is
perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field (q=90°).
Equation (2) covers the magnetometer's active zone in the southern operating
hemisphere. This active zone is depicted in Figure A-3 on page A-4. The
magnetic field could be anywhere inside the space bound by the southern
polar dead zone and the equatorial dead zone.
The Earth's magnetic field vector is pointing into the ground in the Earth's
northern magnetic hemisphere, and out from the ground in the Earth's
southern magnetic hemisphere. It is parallel with the ground at the Earth's
magnetic equator. Note, that neither the Earth's geographic and magnetic
poles nor the equators exactly coincide, as it can be seen in Figure 5.

Orientation
Figure 5 - Earth magnetic field inclination angle (degrees)
The Hemisphere switch located on the CS-3 control panel allows setting of
the electronics for the proper operation in either northern or southern
operating hemisphere. The operating hemisphere setting could be either
manually controlled locally or electronically remotely controlled, as
explained in Chapter 2, “Operating the CS-3 in the Field” and the topic
“Operating in the Presence of Spurious Magnetic Fields” on page 2-9.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Inside its operating range the CS-3 performance is acceptable, in regard to

measurement noise and heading errors. The measurement noise starts to
increases appreciably only when the magnetometer orientation comes close
to the boundary of the operating range given by equations (1) and (2). It is
about three times larger at the boundary of the operating range than it is at a
broad minimum centered around the middle of the operating zone. It is about
twice as large 5° away from the boundary of the operating zone.
Equally, the heading errors are low inside most of the operating zone, and
increase somewhat faster close to the polar dead zones, as shown on the
typical plot of the tumble heading error curve, Figure 6. Note that the actual
dead zones are very narrow: the polar and equatorial dead zones are
approximately 8° and 4° respectively. The actual operating zone is several
degrees larger than indicated by relationships (1) and (2).
The records in Figure 6a and b were made during the alignment of a CS-3
sensor at the Scintrex test facility 50 km north of Metro Toronto. The test
facility is constructed to have low magnetic signature and to be away from
man made magnetic interferences. The test facility consists of two buildings
separated 35 meters apart and well away from a rural road. The instrument
building contains all the test equipment and in the test building there are only
the magnetometer to be aligned and the reference magnetometer.
The test building is constructed of wood, fastened by aluminum nails. The
magnetometer sensor under test is mounted on a gimbal system, which is
remotely operated from the instrument building. The gimbal system
facilitates the rotation of the sensor around:
• the axis which passes through the center of the absorption cell and it is
perpendicular to both, the sensor optical axis and to the direction of the
ambient magnetic field - this arrangement is used for the tumble heading
error tests, and around
• the optical sensor axis - this arrangement is used for the spin heading error
tests.

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Figure 6a - Plot of tumble heading error curve (northern hemisphere). Orientation
lot shows magnetic field (readout difference between a specific
sensor under test and an immobile reference) against tumble angle.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Figure 6b - Plot of tumble heading error curve (southern hemisphere).

Plot shows magnetic field (readout difference between a specific
sensor under test and an immobile reference) against tumble angle.

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Using a Strapped Down CS-3 for Surveys
Wherever a magnetic survey is conducted, the CS-3 Cesium Magnetometer
can be strapped rigidly to a survey vehicle, such as an airplane, a ship or an
automobile. It is convenient to use a simple, nonmagnetic gimbal platform
made by Scintrex, as this allows the magnetometer sensor to be precisely and
quickly oriented in azimuth and inclination.
The vehicle conducts a magnetic survey by moving on the well defined
survey grid consisting of parallel survey lines. If the survey lines are oriented
in the NW direction, for example, the survey vehicle may travel either in the
NW or SE directions shown in Figure 7 on page 3-9.
Several times during a survey day, a tie line may be used as shown in Figure
7. The tie line is generally flown at 90° to the survey line, which would be in
our example either in the NE or SW direction. The magnetometer sensor
orientation must be selected so that it performs well on the direction parallel
or antiparallel to the survey line, and parallel or antiparallel to the tie line,
which is perpendicular to the survey line.

Calculating the Tumble Angle

CS-3 sensor orientation is determined by two angles:
• the sensor azimuth, a, defined as the angle in the horizontal plane between

Orientation
the horizontal projection of the sensor optical axis direction and the direction
of the magnetic north
• the magnetometer sensor inclination, b, defined as the angle in the vertical
plane between the horizontal line and the magnetometer optical axis.
• The ambient magnetic field inclination, g, is defined as the angle between the
horizontal and the field direction. The Earth's magnetic field inclination is a
positive angle in the range from 0° to 90° in the Earth's Northern Magnetic
Hemisphere and negative in the Southern Hemisphere. Its dependence on the
geographic location is shown in Figure 5 on page 3-3.
For a given sensor orientation and magnetic field inclination, the angle
between the sensor and the magnetic field, i.e. the tumble angle, q, can be
calculated from the following equation:
q = arccos(cosa x cosb x cosg + sinb x sing ) (3)

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Orienting Your CS-3

This equation can be used to find out whether the magnetometer sensor is
inside its active zones specified by equations (1) and (2). It is a good idea to
reduce the operating active zone by the amount of the anticipated aircraft
motion. In general, airborne magnetic surveys are conducted in calmer
weather to keep the aircraft motion to within 5° in pitch, roll and yaw.
In this case, with the additional allowance we must orient the magnetometer
sensor so that the tumble angle, q, satisfies in the northern operating
hemisphere the relationship:
15° > q > 80° (4)
and in the southern operating hemisphere the relationship
100° > q > 165° (5)
Inside this operating zone the magnetometer noise will increase by about a
factor of two from the minimum value at q=40° or q=140°, and the heading
error will be inside the specified limits of +/-0.25nT.
As it will be seen in the next section, orienting the CS-3 is simple: with
only two settings one can survey the entire Earth's surface. However, in
order to gain more insight, the tumble angle, equation (3), is evaluated, over
the entire range of the magnetic field inclinations, for two sets of sensor
azimuths, and five values of sensor inclinations. The results are shown on
graphs, Figures 7 to 16.
Tumble angles from 0° to 90° indicate that the magnetometer has to be set for
operation in the northern operating hemisphere. Tumble angles from 90° to
180° indicate that the magnetometer has to be set for operation in the
southern operating hemisphere. As indicated in Chapter 1, “Getting Started”,
the operating hemisphere setting is performed manually or electronically.
In accordance with the equations (4) and (5), the polar dead zones are from
0° to 15° and from 165° to 180°. The equatorial dead zones are from 80° to
100°. The azimuth values in each set differ by 90°, to comply with the
requirement that both, the flight lines and the perpendicular tie lines, are
flown in two opposite directions.
The sensor inclination should be selected so that the sensor will not be in any
of dead zones for either one of these four azimuths and over the range of
magnetic field inclinations expected in the surveyed area. Comments on
advantages and disadvantages of five representative sensor orientations
follow.

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Sensor Inclination 90°
From the graph in Figure 8, you can determine the value of the tumble angle
(the angle between the magnetic field and the sensor optical axis) for all
possible values of the magnetic field inclination. Because the sensor is
vertical, the tumble angle is independent of the sensor azimuth (one curve is
valid for all azimuths).
The operating range of the magnetic field inclinations, for which the tumble
angle is inside the active operating zone, is indicated by horizontal arrows in
the graph. The sensor orientation shown in the Figure 7 is very useful
because it covers most of the Earth's surface with the exception of polar and
equatorial regions.

Orientation
Figure 7 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field
inclination. Sensor inclination is 90°. Any sensor azimuth
can be used.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Sensor Inclination 67.5°

Sensor azimuth values used in Figure 8 are 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
Please note, that the sensor azimuth may differ from the flight direction
azimuth, as the sensor axis may have to be set out of the airplane axis. For
example, if the line (flight) direction is NE, and the sensor azimuth is to be
90°, then the sensor axis is to be rotated by 45° clockwise from the airplane
axis. The particular sensor orientation shown in Figure 8 does not offer any
advantages.

Figure 8 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field

inclination. Sensor inclination is 67.5°. Sensor azimuths are
0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
A more advantageous orientation is one with the same sensor inclination, but
different azimuths, Figure 9. Large areas extending from either pole down to
the field inclination of 25° could be surveyed using this orientation.
However, the operation is at the edge of the active zone for the magnetic field
inclinations around +/-75°.

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 Figure 9 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field
inclination. Sensor inclination is 67.5°. Sensor azimuths are
45, 135, 225 and 315 degrees.

Orientation
Sensor Inclination 47.5°
Tumble angles for the sensor azimuths parallel or perpendicular to the
magnetic field direction could be determined from the graph in Figure 10.
This orientation could be used in surveying polar regions. If the azimuth of
90° and 270° are used for flying normal survey lines, the tumble angle is
same for both up-the-line and down-the-line flying, and it is well inside the
active zone. The sensor orientation shown in Figure 11 offers the advantage
of use for surveys in ether polar or equatorial regions.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Figure 10 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field

inclination. Sensor inclination is 47.5°. Sensor azimuths are
0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
Please note, that, when flying in equatorial regions, the sensor operating
hemisphere has to be changed from north to south when the flight direction,
on either normal or tie survey lines, is changed. The same applies for any
other orientation used for surveying in equatorial magnetic field regions.

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 Figure 11 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field
inclination. Sensor inclination is 47.5°. Sensor azimuths are
45, 135, 225 and 315 degrees.

Orientation
For completeness, the orientation with azimuths between those shown in
Figures 10 and 11 is shown in Figure 12. As it can be seen, it does not offer
any additional advantages.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Figure 12 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field

inclination. Sensor inclination is 47.5°. Sensor azimuths are
23, 113, 203 and 293 degrees.

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Sensor Inclination 22.5°
The orientation shown in Figure 13 does not offer any advantages.

Orientation
Figure 13 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field
inclination. Sensor inclination is 22.5°. Sensor azimuths are
0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
The orientation in Figure 14 offers, in comparison with the orientation in
Figure 11, an extension of surveying into regions well away from the
magnetic equator at the expense of reduction in the polar regions.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Figure 14 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field

inclination. Sensor inclination is 22.5°. Sensor azimuths are
45, 135, 225 and 315 degrees.

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Sensor Inclination 0°
The orientation in Figure 15 is not acceptable, as the tie lines are in dead
zones.

Orientation
Figure 15 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field
inclination. Sensor inclination is 0°. Sensor azimuths are
0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
The orientation shown in Figure 16 has the advantage of covering the entire
Earth except the polar regions. For large area, up to the field inclination of
+/-45°, the sensor operates far from the dead zones, but the sensor operating
hemisphere has to be changed when the flight direction is reversed.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Figure 16 - Plot of tumble angle versus magnetic field

inclination. Sensor inclination is 0°. Sensor azimuths are
45, 135, 225 and 315 degrees.

Recommended Survey Orientations

Only two orientations are sufficient for surveying along two sets of
perpendicular lines over the entire Earth's surface:
1. The orientation in Figure 11, with the sensor inclination 45° and azimuths
45, 135, 225, 315 degrees, for polar and equatorial regions, and

2. The orientation in Figure 7 on page 3-9 with sensor inclination 90 degrees,

for the regions between polar and equatorial regions. These orientations
provide enough overlap at both ends: regions with field inclinations N/S
from 53° to 75° and inclinations N/S from 10° to 22° could be surveyed by
either sensor orientation setting 1) or 2).

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In the overlap regions the tumble angle comes close to boundary of the dead
zones. For a larger safety margin following alternate orientation is strongly
recommended:
3. The operation around the magnetic equator, extending well into the regions
with the magnetic field inclinations up to 45°, could be covered with the
sensor inclination 0° and azimuths 45, 135, 225, 315 degrees (see Figure
17).
If the above three orientations are used in both Earth's magnetic hemispheres
as follows:
• the orientation a) for the field inclinations from 60° to 90°
• the orientation b) for the field inclinations from 35° to 60°
• the orientation c) for the field inclinations from 0° to 35°
then:
1. the minimum safety margin to the boundary of the operating range is 14°
and it will occur for the field inclination 62°

2. the safety margin less than 15° will occur only for the range of the field
inclinations from 60° to 65°

3. the safety margin less than 20° will occur for the range of the field inclina-
tions from 55° to 78°.

Orientation
Note:

The additional allowance of 5° has been already

subtracted from the essential operating range
specified by relationships (1) and (2) to arrive to the
reduced operating range, relationships (4) and (5)
for which the above analysis applies.

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Orienting Your CS-3

Comparison with the Locked Oscillator

Optically pumped magnetometers using the locked oscillator principle of
operation exhibit two distinct features as far as the operating range is
concerned:
• there is no polar dead zone, only the equatorial dead zone is present
• the magnetometer operates in both magnetic hemispheres of the ambient
field without any adjustment.
Modern self-oscillating magnetometers, like the CS-3 have overcome the
shortcoming of two operating hemispheres by incorporating an effective
electronic control of the operating hemisphere selection.
The asset of having only one dead zone was claimed to be a valuable
operational advantage "without orientation problems associated with
self-oscillating alkali vapor magnetometers" (e.g. EG&G brochure for the
G-833 Helium Magnetometer). The following rigorous analysis will prove
that the CS-3 has superior orienting capabilities.
The operating range of the locked oscillator extends 65° from the polar
orientations according to the relationships:
0° < q< 65° (4)
and from
115° < q< 180° (5)
It has been experimentally determined by impartial evaluators that inside this
operating zone the magnetometer noise will increase by about a factor of
three from the minimum value at q=0° or q=180°. Passed this range, noise
increases rapidly, e.g. at 70° from the polar orientation the noise is 7-8 times
larger than in the polar orientation.
The graphs shown in Figures 7 to 16 apply for the locked oscillator as well
while taking into the account the operating range specified by relationship (4)
and (5).

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Only two orientations are useful and they are sufficient for surveying along
two sets of perpendicular lines over the entire Earth's surface:
1. the orientation in Figure 7, with sensor inclination 90 degrees, for the
ambient field inclinations from 25° to 90°.

2. the operation around the magnetic equator, extending well into the regions
with the magnetic field inclinations up to 55°, is covered with the sensor
inclination 0° and azimuths 45, 135, 225, 315 degrees, Figure 16.
If the above orientations are used in both Earth's magnetic hemispheres as
follows:
• the orientation 1) for the field inclinations from 35° to 90°
• the orientation 2) for the field inclinations from 0° to 35°
then:
i) the minimum safety margin to the boundary of the operating range is 10°
and it will occur for the field inclination 35°
ii) the safety margin less than 15° will occur only for the range of the field
inclinations from 25° to 40°
iii) the safety margin less than 20° will occur for the range of the field
inclinations from 0° to 45°.
• By comparing the criteria i) to iii) above with the same criteria for the CS-3,

Orientation
one can see that the CS-3 offers superior worldwide orienting capabilities.

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4 Maintaining Your
CS-3 and
Trouble-shooting

No maintenance is required. Both, the sensor head and the sensor electronics
are enclosed in sealed, splashproof housings.

Important:

Care must be exercised in handling the CS-3,

especially the sensor head, which contains delicate
optical components. Excessive shocks and
vibrations should be avoided.

Warning:

BEFORE THE POWER IS APPLIED TO THE

CS-3, THE CONNECTOR AT THE END OF THE
SENSOR HEAD CABLE HAS TO BE
CONNECTED TO THE MATING SOCKET
LOCATED AT THE ELECTRONICS BOX SIDE
PLATE. THIS CONNECTOR SHOULD NEVER
Maintenance

BE DISCONNECTED WHILE THE POWER IS

APPLIED TO THE CS-3. DOING SO WILL
RESULT IN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE RF
EXCITER AND WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

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Maintaining Your CS-3 and Trouble-shooting

Trouble-shooting
Despite the fact that your CS-3 is a very reliable instrument, there can be two
circumstances where problems may occur. The following table lists some of
these problems and their attempted solution. However, please do not hesitate
to contact your nearest Scintrex office. See “Warranty and Repair” on
page 5-3 for the office nearest you.

Problem Possible cause Possible solution

No Larmor signal The indication that the Check that power is supplied by
output CS-3 is receiving measuring the voltage at either the
power is glowing of the I/O connector (pin B positive, pin A
green light. If the light negative) or the power TNC coaxial
is not glowing, and the connector (center positive), and
power is supplied, then then replace the fuse by undoing
the fuse may be blown. the fuse cover.
The fuse used is Littlefuse type
Micro 273 003, 125V AC/DC, 3A.
The power is not Check power supply.
supplied to the sensor
electronics.
Power supply as Check power supply. Note, a lower
measured at points supply voltage is insufficient for
indicated above is not proper operation, while a higher
in the range of 24V to supply voltage will result in
35V DC. excessive dissipation of the internal
voltage regulators, and may cause
permanent damage.

Current supply not in The supply current after 15 minutes

range. warm-up is in the range 0.5 A
(ambient temperature close to
50°C) to 0.8A (ambient temperature
close to -40°C).
Sensor head oriented Refer to the Orienting the CS-3
in the active zone. chapter.
Larmor output Possible conditions as Refer to above solutions.
(readings) are noted for no Larmor
noisy. signal output.

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 Trouble-shooting

There are large Check for possible sources of local

spurious AC fields AC fields.
present.
Excessive field Check for possible sources of
gradients across gradients.
sensor head.
Ambient magnetic Check Power supply and
noise is low. Orientation.

If all of the above conditions are met and Larmor output continues to be
either not present or noisy, ship back the CS-3 to Scintrex for repair.

Maintenance

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Maintaining Your CS-3 and Trouble-shooting

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CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
 Reference
5 Reference
Information

CS-3 Technical Specifications

Measurement Range 15,000nT to 100,000nT

Orientation Range
Northern Operating Hemisphere Sensor optical head axis 10° to 85° to the
ambient field direction
Southern Operating Hemisphere Sensor optical head axis 95° to 170° to the
ambient field direction
Heading Error +/- 0.25nT inside the optical axis to the field
direction angle range 15° to 75° and 105° to
165°
Noise Envelope 0.002nT peak-to-peak in 0.01 to 1 Hz
bandwidth
Gradient Tolerance 40,000 nT/meter

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CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
Reference Information

Outputs Continuous signals at the Larmor frequency

which is proportional to the magnetic field
(proportionality constant 3.498577 Hz/nT)
Squarewave signal at the I/O connector TTL,
CMOS compatible
Sinewave signal amplitude modulated on the
power supply voltage
Information Bandwidth Limited by the magnetometer processor used
Operating Temperature -40°C to +50°C
Humidity Up to 100% splashproof
Supply Voltage 24 to 35 Volts DC
Supply Current Approximately 1.5A at start-up, decreasing
to 0.5A at 20°C, larger at lower temperatures
Power Consumption 15W at 20°C, more at lower temperature or
during warm-up
Warm-up Time Approximately 15 minutes at -40°C
Control of the Operating • Automatic
Hemisphere • Manual switch control
• Electronic control actuated by control
voltage level (TTL/CMOS) at the I/O
connector Sensor Head to Electronics
Interconnecting Cable (standard length
3m and optional 1 to 10 m) with
connector at the sensor electronics side.
Signature of electronics less than 0.1nT
in any orientation at 3m away from the
sensor head
Sensor Head Diameter: 63mm (2.5”) and Length: 160mm
(6.3”)
Weight 1.15 kg (2.6 lb.)
Sensor Electronics Diameter: 63 mm. (2.5”) and Length: 350
mm (1.8”)
Weight 1.5 kg (3.3 lb.)

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CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
 Instrument Parts List

Instrument Parts List

Reference
CS-3 Standard Accessories

SCINTREX
Item Description
Part Number
CS-3 Magnetometer (includes:) 762-010
Case
Sensor
Electronic processing unit

Warranty and Repair

Warranty
All Scintrex equipment, with the exception of consumable items, is
warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one
year from the date of shipment from our plant. Should any defects become
evident under normal use during the warranty period, Scintrex will make the
necessary repairs free of charge.
This warranty does not cover damage due to misuse or accident and may be
voided if the instrument console is opened or tampered with by persons not
authorized by Scintrex.

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Reference Information

Repair
When To Ship the Unit
Please do not ship your instrument for repair until have communicated the
nature of the problem to our Customer Service Department by e-mail,
telephone, facsimile or correspondence. Our Customer Service Department
may suggest certain simple tests or steps for you to do which may solve your
problem without the time and expense involved in shipping the instrument
back to Scintrex for repair. If the problem cannot be resolved, our personnel
will request that you send the instrument to our plant for the necessary
repairs.

Description of the Problem

When you describe the problem, please include the following information:

• the symptoms of the problem,

• how the problem started,
• if the problem is constant, intermittent or repeatable,
• if constant, under what conditions does it occur,
• any printouts demonstrating the problem

Shipping Instructions
No instrument will be accepted for repair unless it is shipped prepaid. After
repair, it will be returned collect, unless other arrangements have been made
with Scintrex. Please mention the instrument’s serial number in all
communications regarding equipment leased or purchased from Scintrex.

Head Office

Instruments within Canada should be shipped to:

SCINTREX Limited
222 Snidercroft Road

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 Warranty and Repair

Unit #1

Reference
Concord, Ontario

L4K 2K1
tel: +1 905 669 2280
fax: +1 905 669 9899
e-mail: service@[Link]

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Reference Information

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A Theory of

Theory
Operation

System Overview
As shown below, the CS-3 sensor consists of a sensor head with cable and
sensor electronics.

Figure A-1 CS-3 Sensor Head and Electronics

The sensor head has an electrodeless discharge lamp (containing cesium
vapor) and absorption cell. Electrical heaters bring the lamp and the cell to
optimum operating temperatures with control and driving circuits located in
the electronics console. Heating currents are supplied to the sensor head
through the interconnecting cable.

A-1
CS-3 Manual - part #762701 Revision 4.0
 When operating, an RF oscillator in the electronics console provides RF
power to a lamp exciter in the sensor head and the radio frequency (RF) field
produces a corresponding resonant optical radiation (light).
The light radiating from the cesium lamp is collimated by a lens. The light
propagates in the direction of the sensor optical axis (as shown in Figure A-1)
and passes through an interference filter which selects only the cesium D1
spectral line. The light is subsequently polarized in a split, right/left hand
circular polarizer before it is allowed to optically excite cesium vapor in the
absorption cell.
The narrow bandwidth resonant light causes momentary alignment
(polarization) of the atomic magnetic moments to the direction of the
ambient magnetic field. The resonant light "optically pumps" the cesium
atoms to a higher energy state. (Note that the polarizing light beam has to be
oriented in the general direction of the ambient field to be effective.)
Large numbers of cesium atoms can be polarized by optical pumping and
then induced to precess coherently in phase around the ambient field by
means of a small magnetic field, H1. This small magnetic field is transverse
to the ambient field and alternating at the Larmor frequency.
The H1 field is produced by a coil in the CS-3. The coil is coaxial with the
sensor optical axis and wound around the absorption cell. Polarized resonant
light perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field detects the precession. This
light is alternately more or less absorbed, depending on the instantaneous
orientation of the polarization.
In the CS-3, this probing light is the perpendicular component of the resonant
light beam. If the modulation of through-the-absorption-cell transmitted light
is detected with the photosensitive detector, and the resulting Larmor signal
is sufficiently amplified and phase-shifted before being fed back to the H1
coil, then a closed loop self-oscillating circuit results.
The resonance occurs at the Larmor frequency, which in weak fields, e.g. the
Earth's magnetic field, is precisely linear with the field in which the
absorption cell is located. For the cesium 133 the proportionality constant
(gyromagnetic constant) is 3.498577 Hz per nT.
As indicated, different components of the same resonant light beam perform
two functions:
• the component parallel to the ambient field performs the optical pumping
• the perpendicular component detects the coherent precession.

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CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
Therefore, no pumping is taking place if the light beam (the optical axis) is
perpendicular to the ambient field (the equatorial orientation) and
consequently the sensor is not operating. Equally, no light modulation is
taking place if the light beam is parallel with the ambient field (the polar
orientation) and consequently the sensor is not operating.
The second reason for the sensor not operating in the polar orientation is that
the H1 field, being parallel to the ambient field, can not induce precession of
the magnetic polarization.
The plane perpendicular to the ambient field divides the sensor operating

Theory
zones into two hemispheres - northern and southern operating hemisphere. In
the northern operating hemisphere the sensor light beam, which propagates in
the direction of the optical axis, Figure A-2, forms an angle from 0° to 90°
with the direction of the ambient field. In this hemisphere, the phase shift of
the Larmor signal amplifier required for the self-oscillation at the peak of the
resonance is -90°.

Figure A-2 Northern Operating Hemisphere

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CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
 In the southern operating hemisphere the light beam forms an angle from 90°
to 180° with the ambient field direction, Figure A-3. There, the phase shift of
the Larmor signal amplifier required for the self-oscillation at the peak of
resonance is +90°. Thus the phase change of 180° is required to make the
sensor operational when the operating hemisphere is changed. The control of
this electronic phase reversal is performed by the hemisphere switch as
explained in “Setting the Operating Hemisphere” on page 2-7.

Figure A-3 Southern Operating Hemisphere

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CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
B CS-3 Block

Theory
Diagram
As shown on the next page, the CS-3 sensor system includes a variety of
sensor and electronic components.

B-1
CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
 Figure B-1 CS-3 Block Diagram

B-2
CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0
Index amplifier 1-7
frequency 2-5
output signals 2-5
theory A-2
A obtaining signal 2-5
Absorption cell signal amplitude 3-2
magnetic field measurement 1-6 Locked oscillator
operating temperature 2-5 comparison with 3-20
Active zone of CS-3 3-2
M
C Magnetic field
Chapter layout scheme 1-3
2nd Draft measurement
Cold start-up absorption cell 1-6
power supply current 2-4 Magnetometer noise 3-8
Manual symbols 1-4
G
2
Gyromagnetic constant 2-5 O

Index
2nd Operating hemisphere
H northern 3-2
Heading error 3-1, 3-4, 5-1 obtaining proper signal 2-8
Heaters 1-7 setting 2-7
Hemisphere control switch southern 3-3
automatic 2-8 theory A-3
description 1-8 Optical axis 1-6, 3-2
electronic 2-7 Optically pumped magnetometer
functions 1-9 frequency variation
manual 2-7 causes 3-1
specifications 5-1 theory A-2
use for orientation 3-3 Orientation
in northern hemisphere 3-8
I in southern hemisphere 3-8
I/O connector
signals 1-9 P
Page Numbering 1-1
L Polar dead zones 3-8
Larmour Powering up

CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0

 four pin I/O connector 2-4 warning before powering up 2-2
TNC connector 2-4 Shipping instructions 5-4
Processors Spurious magnetic fields
Scintrex MEP series 2-6 operating in 2-9
Survey orientations
R recommended 3-18
RF lamp exciter 1-7
T
S Trouble-shooting 4-2 to 4-3
Scintrex table 4-2
offices Tumble angle
contacting 5-4 calculating 3-7
Selecting sensor inclination 3-8 Type styles scheme 1-2
Sensor
electronics U
components 1-7 Use of gimbals 2-3, 3-4
dimensions 5-2
head W
active zone 3-2 Warranty and repair 5-3
components 1-5
dimensions 5-2
housing 1-6
housing
power connections 1-7
Sensor decoupler 2-6
Sensor inclination
0° 3-17
22.5° 3-15
47.5° 3-11
67.5° 3-10
90° 3-9
Setting up
mounting guidelines 2-3
procedure 2-2
stabilization 2-2
voltage 2-2

CS-3 Manual - part # 762701 Revision 4.0

Head Office
222 Snidercroft Road
Unit #1
Concord, Ontario
Canada, L4K 2K1
tel: +1 905 669 2280
fax: +1 905 669 6403
scintrex@[Link]

SCINTREX