Exploiting random telegraph noise to reveal spin-environment coupling in atomic magnetometers

Abstract

Abstract Non-Gaussian noise is usually regarded as a limitation for precision measurements, something to be shielded against or eliminated. We take the opposite approach by injecting controllable random telegraph noise (RTN) into an optically pumped atomic magnetometer (OPAM), demonstrating that controlled colored noise can serve as a spectroscopic probe of spin-environment coupling. By independently tuning the RTN amplitude, switching rate, and carrier detuning, we resolve a stochastic-response crossover from fast-switching motional averaging to a slow-switching, configuration-resolved regime. Beyond noise-induced broadening, the spectral envelope reflects the finite residence time of the two values of the same RTN process. These results establish controlled RTN as a spectroscopic probe of spin-environment coupling in an OPAM. The measured spectra vary systematically with the applied RTN amplitude, switching rate, and carrier detuning.