Optically pumped magnetometers and their applications in fundamental physics searches

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) based on lasers and alkali-metal vapor cells are currently the most sensitive cryogen-free magnetic-field sensors. Because of high sensitivity and operation in a broad frequency range, OPMs benefit many applications, including biomedical imaging and fundamental physics. In this talk, we will present the recent experiments on fundamental physics searches using OPMs at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The experiments include the detection of effective magnetic field induced by exotic interactions mediated by new fundamental bosons and oscillating magnetic field induced by the interaction between axions and magnetic fields.