  The Global Network of Optical Magnetometers to search for Exotic physics
(GNOME) is a network of geographically separated, time-synchronized, optically
pumped atomic magnetometers that is being used to search for correlated
transient signals heralding exotic physics. The GNOME is sensitive to nuclear-
and electron-spin couplings to exotic fields from astrophysical sources such as
compact dark-matter objects (for example, axion stars and domain walls).
Properties of the GNOME sensors such as sensitivity, bandwidth, and noise
characteristics are studied in the present work, and features of the network's
operation (e.g., data acquisition, format, storage, and diagnostics) are
described. Characterization of the GNOME is a key prerequisite to searches for
and identification of exotic physics signatures.
