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arXiv:2408.07187 · Optics Express

Micro-integrated crossed-beam optical dipole trap system with long-term alignment stability for mobile atomic quantum technologies

Marc Christ, Oliver Anton, Conrad Zimmermann, Victoria Henderson, Elisa Da Ros, Markus Krutzik

Published Sep 25, 2024• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quantum technologies extensively use laser light for state preparation, manipulation, and readout. For field applications, these systems must be robust and compact, driving the need for miniaturized and highly stable optical setups and system integration. In this work, we present a micro-integrated crossed-beam optical dipole trap setup, the µXODT, designed for trapping and cooling 87 Rb. This fiber-coupled setup operates at 1064 nm wavelength with up to 2.5 W optical power and realizes a free-space crossed beam geometry. The µXODT precisely overlaps two focused beams ( w 0 ≈ 33 µm) at their waists in a 45° crossing angle, achieving a position difference of ≤3.4 µm and a 0.998 power ratio between both beams with long-term stability. We describe the design and assembly process in detail, along with optical and thermal tests with temperatures of up to 65 °C. The system’s volume of 25 ml represents a reduction of more than two orders of magnitude compared to typically used macroscopic setups while demonstrating exceptional mechanical robustness and thermal stability. The µXODT is integrated with an 87 Rb 3D MOT setup, trapping 3 × 10 5 atoms from a laser-cooled atomic cloud, and has shown no signs of degradation after two years of operation.

DOI
10.1364/oe.534888

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Quantum technologies extensively use laser light for state preparation, manipulation, and readout. For field applications, these systems must be robust and compact, driving the need for miniaturized and highly stable optical setups and system integration. In this work, we present a micro-integrated crossed-beam optical dipole trap setup, the µXODT, designed for trapping and cooling 87 Rb. This fiber-coupled setup operates at 1064 nm wavelength with up to 2.5 W optical power and realizes a free-space crossed beam geometry. The µXODT precisely overlaps two focused beams ( w 0 ≈ 33 µm) at their waists in a 45° crossing angle, achieving a position difference of ≤3.4 µm and a 0.998 power ratio between both beams with long-term stability. We describe the design and assembly process in detail, along with optical and thermal tests with temperatures of up to 65 °C. The system’s volume of 25 ml represents a reduction of more than two orders of magnitude compared to typically used macroscopic setups while demonstrating exceptional mechanical robustness and thermal stability. The µXODT is integrated with an 87 Rb 3D MOT setup, trapping 3 × 10 5 atoms from a laser-cooled atomic cloud, and has shown no signs of degradation after two years of operation.
Cold atom based quantum sensors require robust and miniaturized optical systems for applications on mobile platforms. A micro-integrated optical system (volume ∼25 mL) for trapping and manipulation of neutral atoms is presented. This setup focuses and precisely overlaps two high power laser beams (1064 nm, up to 2W total, wR = 34 µm) launched via a single-mode, polarization maintaining optical fiber, thereby realizing a crossed beam optical dipole trap (ODT). Adhesive bonding is qualified in application relevant geometries and material systems of micro-integrated optical systems for application on mobile platforms or space. Fused silica test blocks (bond area 2 × 4 mm2 ) are bonded with four different adhesives on silicon wafers. Theses samples are aged by thermal cycling (up to −55 °C to 150 °C) and/or gamma-radiation (10 000 mSv) and subsequently the bond strength is evaluated by die shear testing according to MIL-STD-883L. The influence of the environmental aging on the bond strength is presented, the failure mode and the influence of fillets discussed. In addition, the effects of plasma cleaning on the bond strength in this geometry is presented.
Employing compact quantum sensors in field or in space (e.g., small satellites) implies demanding requirements on components and integration technologies. Within our work on integrated sensors, we develop miniaturized, ultra-stable optical setups for optical cooling and trapping of cold atomic gases. Besides challenging demands on alignment precision, and thermo-mechanical durability, we specifically address ultra-high vacuum (UHV) compatibility of our integration technologies and optical components. A prototype design of an UHV-compatible, crossed beam optical dipole trap setup and its application within a cold atomic quantum sensor is described. First qualification efforts on adhesive micro-integration technologies are presented. These tests are conducted in application-relevant geometries and material combinations common for micro-integrated optical setups. Adhesive aging will be investigated by thermal cycling or gamma radiation exposure. For vacuum compatibility testing, a versatile UHV testing system is currently being set up, enabling residual gas analysis and measurement of total gas rates down to 5•10-10mbar l/s at a base pressure of 10-11 mbar, exceeding the common ASTM E595 test.
Magneto-optical traps (MOTs), indispensable to cold-atom-based quantum computing and quantum precision measurement, are increasingly desired in compact and stable form. Particularly, the six-beam 3D-MOT, distinguished by symmetric geometry and superior trapping performance, finds particularly broad applications. Conventional implementations, however, rely on complex and bulky free-space optics, hindering miniaturization, practical assembly, and long-term stability. Here, we demonstrate a compact six-beam 3D-MOT system that employs two multifunctional optical metasurface chips to implement the optical-field functionalities required for cooling and trapping atoms. By combining two metasurface chips and a vacuum cell, a photonic-integrated cell module (PICM) is implemented as the core assembly and the volume is only" 73*73*107 mm^3" . In success, 1.3 * 10^3 Rb atoms are trapped and cooled to the temperature of ~183 μK. It should be noticed that the laser beam is guided to the metasurface through optical fiber, thus such fully fiber-coupled architecture enables straightforward and stable operations. We believe that this work would pave a practical route toward compact and portable 3D-MOT.
Employing compact quantum sensors in field or in space (e.g., small satellites) implies demanding requirements on components and integration technologies. Within our work on integrated sensors, we develop miniaturized, ultra-stable optical setups for optical cooling and trapping of cold atomic gases. Besides challenging demands on alignment precision, and thermo-mechanical durability, we specifically address ultra-high vacuum (UHV) compatibility of our integration technologies and optical components. A prototype design of an UHV-compatible, crossed beam optical dipole trap setup and its application within a cold atomic quantum sensor is described. First qualification efforts on adhesive micro-integration technologies are presented. These tests are conducted in application-relevant geometries and material combinations common for micro-integrated optical setups. Adhesive aging will be investigated by thermal cycling or gamma radiation exposure. For vacuum compatibility testing, a versatile UHV testing system is currently being set up, enabling residual gas analysis and measurement of total gas rates down to 5•10-10mbar l/s at a base pressure of 10-11 mbar, exceeding the common ASTM E595 test.
Crossed optical dipole traps (ODTs) provide three-dimensional confinement of cold atoms and other optically trappable particles. However, the need to maintain the intersection of the two trapping beams poses strict requirements on alignment stability, and limits the ability to move the trap. Here we demonstrate a novel crossed ODT design that features inherent stability of the beam crossing, allowing the trap to move and remain aligned. The trap consists of a single high-power laser beam, imaged back onto itself at an angle to form a crossed trap. Self-aligning behavior results from employing an imaging system with positive magnification tuned precisely to unity. We employ laser-cooled samples of 6^66Li atoms to demonstrate that the trap remains well-aligned over a 4.3 mm travel range along an axis approximately perpendicular to the plane containing the crossed beams. Our scheme can be applied to bring an atomic cloud held in a crossed ODT close to a surface or field source for various applications in quantum simulation, sensing, and information processing.