Unambiguous vector magnetometry with structured light in atomic vapor

Absorption profiles of vector light upon interaction with atomic vapor carries distinct signatures of an external magnetic field vector. However, this signature becomes ambiguous for antiparallel magnetic field vectors of equal magnitude, which makes their absorption profiles visually indistinguishable. To resolve this ambiguity, we present a theoretical analysis of the interaction of vector light with optically polarized atoms immersed in reference and test magnetic fields. Furthermore, we demonstrate the complete characterization of the arbitrarily oriented test magnetic field via a Fourier analysis of the absorption profile. This analysis reveals a one-to-one correspondence between the magnetic field properties and the profile's contrast and rotational angle. Our findings open an avenue to design an optical vector atomic magnetometer based on structured light fields.