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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Chip-scale atomic devices at NIST

Svenja A. Knappe, Peter D. D. Schwindt, Vladislav P. Gerginov, Vishal Shah, Alan S. Brannon, B. J. Lindseth, Li‐Anne Liew, H. G. Robinson, John Moreland, Zoya B. Popovic, Leo W. Hollberg, John E. Kitching

Published Mar 2, 2007• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We provide an overview of our research on chip-scale atomic devices. By miniaturizing optical setups based on precision spectroscopy, we have developed small atomic sensors and atomic references such as atomic clocks, atomic magnetometers, and optical wavelength references. We have integrated microfabricated alkali vapor cells with small low-power lasers, micro-optics, and low-power microwave oscillators. As a result, we anticipate that atomic stability can be achieved with small size, low cost, battery-operated devices. Advances in fabrication methods and performance are presented.

DOI
10.1117/12.726792

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We provide an overview of our research on chip-scale atomic devices. By miniaturizing optical setups based on precision spectroscopy, we have developed small atomic sensors and atomic references such as atomic clocks, atomic magnetometers, and optical wavelength references. We have integrated microfabricated alkali vapor cells with small low-power lasers, micro-optics, and low-power microwave oscillators. As a result, we anticipate that atomic stability can be achieved with small size, low cost, battery-operated devices. Advances in fabrication methods and performance are presented.
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We describe recent progress in the development of millimeter-scale instruments based on alkali atom vapor cells implemented with microfabrication techniques. Because of their small size and correspondingly low power requirements, these "chip-scale" atomic clocks and magnetometers have the potential to bring atomically precise instrumentation to portable, battery-operated systems such as GPS receivers, remote sensors and wireless communication devices. In addition, wafer-level processing and assembly potentially allows for very low cost per instrument if high volumes are produced.
High-sensitivity sensors play a critical role in fundamental physics research, space magnetic field detection, geological monitoring, and biomedical applications. Atomic sensors, based on quantum mechanics principles, such as atomic magnetometers, atomic clocks, and atomic gyroscopes, etc. have emerged as pivotal technical equipment for precision measurements due to their exceptional sensitivity, low power consumption, and long-term stability. The atomic vapor cell, serving as the core component, facilitates quantum state manipulation via the Zeeman effect. Miniaturization and integration of these cells have not only advanced the development of portable atomic magnetometers but also provided a foundation for breakthroughs in chip-scale atomic clocks and enhanced navigation accuracy of atomic gyroscopes. The research progresses of chip-scale atomic vapor cells in recent years are reviewed. The advancements in alkali metal introduction methods, anti-relaxation surface coatings, and micro-nano fabrication techniques have enabled the miniaturization of atomic vapor cells while preserving high performance, creating new opportunities for the deployment of quantum sensing technologies across diverse fields. Looking ahead, multifunctional integration and material innovations in atomic vapor cells are expected to further broaden their applications in time-frequency standards, inertial navigation systems, and weak magnetic field measurements.
Abstract We describe three independent research directions focussed on the development of next-generation chip-scale atomic clocks, which combine small size, low power consumption and manufacturability with high frequency stability. The use of optical transitions in microfabricated vapor cells improves both short- and long-term frequency stability to near 10−13 at the cost of the added complexity of a chip-scale optical frequency comb. Chip-scale atomic beam microwave clocks have been successfully demonstrated and offer the potential for microsecond-level timing accuracy over one week. And finally, Sr vapor cells have been developed with lifetimes exceeding 250 hours and residual gas pressures below 1 Torr.
We summarize activities performed at FEMTO-ST Institute and Centrale Lille/IEMN over the last years on the development of microfabricated vapor cells dedicated to atomic clocks, frequency references and sensors. Recent advances on the microcell technology are described. We have demonstrated CPT-based microwave clocks with stability in the low 10−12 range thanks to the implementation of advanced pulsed Ramsey-based interrogation sequences and cells built with low-permeation glass substrates and Al2O3 coatings. We have developed microcell optical frequency references, one based on the two-photon transition of Rb atom at 778 nm and one on saturated absorption of the 6S1/2-7P1/2 transition of Cs atom at 459 nm, with short-term stability levels in the low 10−13 range at 1 s and averaging down in the low 10−14 range after 100 s. Optically pumped magnetometers with sensitivity at the level of 100 fT/√Hz have also been demonstrated. In-progress studies, on both the cell technology and metrology aspects, are also discussed.