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AIP conference proceedings

The Laser Cooling and Atomic Physics (LCAP) program at JPL

Robert J. Thompson

Published Jan 1, 2000• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper we will present an overview of the present and future of the Laser Cooling and Atomic Physics (LCAP) program in support of NASA’s Micro-gravity Fundamental Physics program. We will address the role played by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in developing the core technologies to support the wide variety of science that we envision will be explored by this program.

DOI
10.1063/1.1302557

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In this paper we will present an overview of the present and future of the Laser Cooling and Atomic Physics (LCAP) program in support of NASA’s Micro-gravity Fundamental Physics program. We will address the role played by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in developing the core technologies to support the wide variety of science that we envision will be explored by this program.
We report on the development of flight technologies to be used in space-based, laser-cooled atomic clocks scheduled to fly on the International Space Station. The core technologies for these and future Laser Cooling and Atomic Physics (LCAP) missions are being developed in the Time and Frequency Sciences and Technology group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The focus is on high-risk components such as the laser and optics subsystem and mechanical shutters to provide light baffling while allowing quasi-continuous atomic beams through the clock.
INTRODUCTION A variety of techniques have been developed over the past two decades for influencing the motion of atomic gases using laser light. These techniques, termed collectively 'laser cooling,' produce samples of atoms with temperatures one millionth of a degree above absolute zero, ushering in a new era of atomic physics. The exquisite control offered by these techniques has made possible measurements of fundamental constants, atomic clocks used in the realization of the SI unit of time, new atom-wave interferometers, and the realization of Bose-Einstein condensation. To understand the impact of gravity on such cold atoms, consider that if the atmosphere were an ideal gas cooled to one micro-Kelvin, it would only extend just 5 microns above the Earth's surface.
There has been dramatic progress recently in atomic physics. It is now routine at hundreds of laboratories worldwide to cool samples of atoms to microkelvin temperatures through a process called laser cooling. Bizarre as it may sound, it is possible to use lasers (which are usually associated with cutting and heating) to slow atoms from the jumbo-jet speed of a room temperature gas to a snail's pace. At these low temperatures exciting new physics is observed, and atoms are treated as waves. An overview of the physics principles that underlie this technique is given, as well as a few examples of recent progress in the emergent fields of atom optics and manipulation of coherent matter waves.
Atomic, molecular and optical physics encompasses a broad range of theoretical and experimental research on matter at the atomic and molecular level and on light. In the United States it is pursued by over 300 small groups in university, national and industrial laboratories. Advances in this branch of physics not only add to our understanding of the basic laws of physics but lead to new instruments and techniques vital to other areas of science, to industry and to national programs. In their report the Panel on Atomic, Molecular and Optical physics has proposed a program of research initiatives intended to support scientific innovation and to provide an environment for rapid scientific advance. But the panel is quick to point out that in attempting to predict the most promising avenues for scientific advancement one is likely to miss whole new boulevards. The panel admits that had it met ten years ago it would have failed to mention or would have seriously underestimated many important developments: laser cooling of atoms and ions, low-energy highly charged ions, transient molecular states, Rydberg atoms, molecular clusters, four-wave mixing, phase conjugation, ultrasensitive detection. “Nevertheless,” writes the panel, “we believe that the program of research initiatives represents a realistic basis for scientific advance in the near future.” The research initiatives include: