1. A high sensitivity atomic magnetometer comprising a) a sensing cell containing a mixture comprising an alkali metal vapor and a buffer gas, wherein the sensing cell is exposed to a background magnetic field lower than a predetermined value; b) means for increasing the magnetic polarization of the alkali metal vapor thereby increasing the sensitivity of the alkali metal vapor to a low intensity magnetic field; c) magnetizing means for imposing a magnetic field on a volume of space comprising the sensing cell; d) means for probing the magnetic polarization of the alkali metal vapor, the probing means providing an output from the alkali metal vapor, the output comprising characteristics related to the low intensity magnetic field; and e) measuring means wherein the measuring means receives the output, determines the characteristics of the low intensity magnetic field, and provides a representation of the low intensity magnetic field; wherein the limit of detectability of the atomic magnetometer is about 10 femtotesla (Hz) −1/2 :