We report on a compact, ultrahigh-vacuum compatible optical assembly to create large-scale, two-dimensional optical lattices for use in experiments with ultracold atoms. The assembly consists of an octagon-shaped spacer made from ultra-low-expansion glass, to which we optically contact four fused-silica cavity mirrors, making it highly mechanically and thermally stable. The mirror surfaces are nearly plane-parallel which allows us to create two perpendicular cavity modes with diameters $\sim$1 mm. Such large mode diameters are desirable to increase the optical lattice homogeneity, but lead to strong angular sensitivities of the coplanarity between the two cavity modes. We demonstrate a procedure to precisely position each mirror substrate that achieves a deviation from coplanarity of $d = 1(5)$ $\mu$ m. Creating large optical lattices at arbitrary visible and near infrared wavelengths requires significant power enhancements to overcome limitations in the available laser power. The cavity mirrors have a customized low-loss mirror coating that enhances the power at a set of relevant wavelengths from the visible to the near infrared by up to three orders of magnitude.We report on a compact, ultrahigh-vacuum compatible optical assembly to create large-scale, two-dimensional optical lattices for use in experiments with ultracold atoms. The assembly consists of an octagon-shaped spacer made from ultra-low-expansion glass, to which we optically contact four fused-silica cavity mirrors, making it highly mechanically and thermally stable. The mirror surfaces are nearly plane-parallel which allows us to create two perpendicular cavity modes with diameters $\sim$1 mm. Such large mode diameters are desirable to increase the optical lattice homogeneity, but lead to strong angular sensitivities of the coplanarity between the two cavity modes. We demonstrate a procedure to precisely position each mirror substrate that achieves a deviation from coplanarity of $d = 1(5)$ $\mu$m. Creating large optical lattices at arbitrary visible and near infrared wavelengths requires significant power enhancements to overcome limitations in the available laser power. The cavity mirrors have a customized low-loss mirror coating that enhances the power at a set of relevant wavelengths from the visible to the near infrared by up to three orders of magnitude.

Jan 15, 20217 citations

Cavity-enhanced optical lattices for scaling neutral atom quantum technologies

Annie Jihyun Park, Jan Trautmann, Neven Šantić +4 more

We demonstrate a cavity-based solution to scale up experiments with ultracold atoms in optical lattices by an order of magnitude over state-of-the-art free space lattices. Our two-dimensional optical lattices are created by power enhancement cavities with large mode waists of 489(8) $\mu$ m and allow us to trap ultracold strontium atoms at a lattice depth of 60 $\mu$ K by using only 80 mW of input light per cavity axis. We characterize these lattices using high-resolution clock spectroscopy and resolve carrier transitions between different vibrational levels. We use these spectral features to locally measure the lattice potential envelope and the sample temperature with a spatial resolution limited only by the optical resolution of the imaging system. The measured ground-band and trap lifetimes are 18(3) s and 59(2) s, respectively, and the lattice frequency (depth) is long-term stable on the MHz (0.1%) level. Our results show that large, deep, and stable two-dimensional cavity-enhanced lattices can be created at any wavelength and can be used to scale up neutral-atom-based quantum simulators, quantum computers, sensors, and optical lattice clocks.We demonstrate a cavity-based solution to scale up experiments with ultracold atoms in optical lattices by an order of magnitude over state-of-the-art free space lattices. Our two-dimensional optical lattices are created by power enhancement cavities with large mode waists of 489(8) $\mu$m and allow us to trap ultracold strontium atoms at a lattice depth of 60 $\mu$K by using only 80 mW of input light per cavity axis. We characterize these lattices using high-resolution clock spectroscopy and resolve carrier transitions between different vibrational levels. We use these spectral features to locally measure the lattice potential envelope and the sample temperature with a spatial resolution limited only by the optical resolution of the imaging system. The measured ground-band and trap lifetimes are 18(3) s and 59(2) s, respectively, and the lattice frequency (depth) is long-term stable on the MHz (0.1%) level. Our results show that large, deep, and stable two-dimensional cavity-enhanced lattices can be created at any wavelength and can be used to scale up neutral-atom-based quantum simulators, quantum computers, sensors, and optical lattice clocks.

Oct 15, 20210 citations

Cavity-Enhanced Optical Lattices for Scaling Neutral Atom Quantum Technologies to Higher Qubit Numbers

Annie Jihyun Park, Jan Trautmann, Neven Šantić +4 more

We demonstrate a cavity-based solution to scale up experiments with ultracold atoms in optical lattices by an order of magnitude over state-of-the-art free-space lattices.Our two-dimensional (2D) optical lattices are created by power-enhancement cavities with large mode waists of 489(8) μm and allow us to trap ultracold strontium atoms at a lattice depth of 60 μK by using only 80 mW of input light per cavity axis.We characterize these lattices using high-resolution clock spectroscopy and resolve carrier transitions between different vibrational levels.With these spectral features, we locally measure the lattice potential envelope and the sample temperature with a spatial resolution limited only by the optical resolution of the imaging system.The measured ground-band and trap lifetimes are 18(3) s and 59(2) s, respectively, and the lattice frequency (depth) is long-term stable on the megahertz (0.1%) level.Our results show that large, deep, and stable 2D cavity-enhanced lattices can be created at any wavelength and can significantly increase the qubit number for neutral-atom-based quantum simulators, quantum computers, sensors, and optical-lattice clocks.We demonstrate a cavity-based solution to scale up experiments with ultracold atoms in optical lattices by an order of magnitude over state-of-the-art free-space lattices.Our two-dimensional (2D) optical lattices are created by power-enhancement cavities with large mode waists of 489(8) μm and allow us to trap ultracold strontium atoms at a lattice depth of 60 μK by using only 80 mW of input light per cavity axis.We characterize these lattices using high-resolution clock spectroscopy and resolve carrier transitions between different vibrational levels.With these spectral features, we locally measure the lattice potential envelope and the sample temperature with a spatial resolution limited only by the optical resolution of the imaging system.The measured ground-band and trap lifetimes are 18(3) s and 59(2) s, respectively, and the lattice frequency (depth) is long-term stable on the megahertz (0.1%) level.Our results show that large, deep, and stable 2D cavity-enhanced lattices can be created at any wavelength and can significantly increase the qubit number for neutral-atom-based quantum simulators, quantum computers, sensors, and optical-lattice clocks.

arXiv:2110.08073PRX QuantumJul 28, 202229 citations

A large mode optical resonator for enhanced atom interferometry

N. Mielec, Sapam Ranjita Chanu, Isabelle Riou +5 more

Summary form only given. The development of atom interferometry in the last few decades has led to high precision measurements of inertial effects and tests of fundamental physics [1]. New methods for higher sensitivity atom interferometers (AIs) are being explored, in particular the interrogation of atoms with optical cavities. The benefits of optical cavities would be higher optical power allowing large momentum transfer beam splitters, and possibly cleaner and controlled phase profiles [2]. However high sensitivity AIs require long interrogation times, which, combined with cold atom cloud expansion, bring the challenges of large centimetric waists in cavities. We propose an optical resonator composed of a convergent lens with two flat mirrors at its focal planes as shown on figure 1 [3]. When perfectly aligned any input field can be resonating inside. Especially, when a Gaussian beam, with waist w0' on the first mirror, is inputted to the cavity, the lens conjugates it to the second mirror with waist w0= λf/πw0'. This cavity is marginally stable and exhibits a half degenerate behaviour: all modes resonate at the same frequencies, odd and even modes being separated by half a free spectral range. Thus it does not have strong mode cleaning properties but it is able to magnify any input field. When misaligned, this cavity goes out of its degenerate behaviour and the circulating field begins to degrade due to mode filtering. A numerical study of the cavity behaviour, using an ABCD transfer matrix formalism, showed that typical controllable misalignments of a few micrometres would not be critical for atom interrogation. Further degradations due to surface defects and tilts are being investigated.Summary form only given. The development of atom interferometry in the last few decades has led to high precision measurements of inertial effects and tests of fundamental physics [1]. New methods for higher sensitivity atom interferometers (AIs) are being explored, in particular the interrogation of atoms with optical cavities. The benefits of optical cavities would be higher optical power allowing large momentum transfer beam splitters, and possibly cleaner and controlled phase profiles [2]. However high sensitivity AIs require long interrogation times, which, combined with cold atom cloud expansion, bring the challenges of large centimetric waists in cavities. We propose an optical resonator composed of a convergent lens with two flat mirrors at its focal planes as shown on figure 1 [3]. When perfectly aligned any input field can be resonating inside. Especially, when a Gaussian beam, with waist w0' on the first mirror, is inputted to the cavity, the lens conjugates it to the second mirror with waist w0= λf/πw0'. This cavity is marginally stable and exhibits a half degenerate behaviour: all modes resonate at the same frequencies, odd and even modes being separated by half a free spectral range. Thus it does not have strong mode cleaning properties but it is able to magnify any input field. When misaligned, this cavity goes out of its degenerate behaviour and the circulating field begins to degrade due to mode filtering. A numerical study of the cavity behaviour, using an ABCD transfer matrix formalism, showed that typical controllable misalignments of a few micrometres would not be critical for atom interrogation. Further degradations due to surface defects and tilts are being investigated.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)Jun 1, 20170 citations

Design and characterization of an integrated surface ion trap and micromirror optical cavity

Andre J. Van Rynbach, George Schwartz, Robert Spivey +3 more

We have fabricated and characterized laser-ablated micromirrors on fused silica substrates for constructing stable Fabry–Perot optical cavities. We highlight several design features which allow these cavities to have lengths in the 250–300 μm range and be integrated directly with surface ion traps. We present a method to calculate the optical mode shape and losses of these micromirror cavities as functions of cavity length and mirror shape, and confirm that our simulation model is in good agreement with experimental measurements of the intracavity optical mode at a test wavelength of 780 nm. We have designed and tested a mechanical setup for dampening vibrations and stabilizing the cavity length, and explore applications for these cavities as efficient single-photon sources when combined with trapped Yb171+ ions.We have fabricated and characterized laser-ablated micromirrors on fused silica substrates for constructing stable Fabry–Perot optical cavities. We highlight several design features which allow these cavities to have lengths in the 250–300 μm range and be integrated directly with surface ion traps. We present a method to calculate the optical mode shape and losses of these micromirror cavities as functions of cavity length and mirror shape, and confirm that our simulation model is in good agreement with experimental measurements of the intracavity optical mode at a test wavelength of 780 nm. We have designed and tested a mechanical setup for dampening vibrations and stabilizing the cavity length, and explore applications for these cavities as efficient single-photon sources when combined with trapped Yb171+ ions.

Applied OpticsAug 3, 20171 citation

Advanced mirror shapes for mode enhancement in plano-concave cavities

William J. Hughes, Péter Horák

Optical cavities are frequently used in quantum technologies to enhance light matter interactions, with applications including single photon generation and entanglement of distant emitters. The Fabry-Pérot resonator is a popular choice for its high optical access and large emitter-mirror separation. A typical configuration, particularly for emitters that should not be placed close to the mirror surface like trapped ions and Rydberg atoms, features two spherical mirrors placed around a central emitter, but this arrangement can put demanding requirements on the mirror alignment. In contrast, plano-concave cavities are tolerant to mirror misalignment and only require the manufacture of one curved mirror, but have limited ability to focus light in the centre of the cavity. Here we show how mirror shaping can overcome this limitation of plano-concave cavities while preserving the key advantages. We demonstrate through numerical simulations that simple mirror shaping can increase coupling between a plano-concave cavity and a central emitter by an order of magnitude, even rivalling misalignment-sensitive concave-concave counterparts for achievable interaction strength. We use these observations to establish the conditions under which plano-concave cavities with shaped mirrors could improve the performance and practicality of emitter-cavity systems.Optical cavities are frequently used in quantum technologies to enhance light matter interactions, with applications including single photon generation and entanglement of distant emitters. The Fabry-Pérot resonator is a popular choice for its high optical access and large emitter-mirror separation. A typical configuration, particularly for emitters that should not be placed close to the mirror surface like trapped ions and Rydberg atoms, features two spherical mirrors placed around a central emitter, but this arrangement can put demanding requirements on the mirror alignment. In contrast, plano-concave cavities are tolerant to mirror misalignment and only require the manufacture of one curved mirror, but have limited ability to focus light in the centre of the cavity. Here we show how mirror shaping can overcome this limitation of plano-concave cavities while preserving the key advantages. We demonstrate through numerical simulations that simple mirror shaping can increase coupling between a plano-concave cavity and a central emitter by an order of magnitude, even rivalling misalignment-sensitive concave-concave counterparts for achievable interaction strength. We use these observations to establish the conditions under which plano-concave cavities with shaped mirrors could improve the performance and practicality of emitter-cavity systems.

arXiv:2510.07251Scientific ReportsMar 11, 20260 citations

d = 1(5)

\mu

m. Creating large optical lattices at arbitrary visible and near infrared wavelengths requires significant power enhancements to overcome limitations in the available laser power. The cavity mirrors have a customized low-loss mirror coating that enhances the power at a set of relevant wavelengths from the visible to the near infrared by up to three orders of magnitude.

\mu

m and allow us to trap ultracold strontium atoms at a lattice depth of 60

\mu

K by using only 80 mW of input light per cavity axis. We characterize these lattices using high-resolution clock spectroscopy and resolve carrier transitions between different vibrational levels. We use these spectral features to locally measure the lattice potential envelope and the sample temperature with a spatial resolution limited only by the optical resolution of the imaging system. The measured ground-band and trap lifetimes are 18(3) s and 59(2) s, respectively, and the lattice frequency (depth) is long-term stable on the MHz (0.1%) level. Our results show that large, deep, and stable two-dimensional cavity-enhanced lattices can be created at any wavelength and can be used to scale up neutral-atom-based quantum simulators, quantum computers, sensors, and optical lattice clocks.