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

Quantum interference effects in rubidium vapor on a chip

Bin Wu, John F. Hulbert, Aaron R. Hawkins, Holger Schmidt

Published Jan 10, 2008• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Harnessing the unique optical quantum interference effects associated with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) on a chip promises new opportunities for linear and nonlinear optical devices. Here, we review the status of integrated atomic spectroscopy chips that could replace conventional rubidium spectroscopy cells. Both linear and nonlinear absorption spectroscopy with excellent performance are demonstrated on a chip using a self-contained Rb reservoir and exhibiting a footprint of only 1.5cm x 1cm. In addition, quantum interference effects including V-scheme and Λ-scheme EIT are observed in miniaturized rubidium glass cells whose fabrication is compatible with on-chip integration.

DOI
10.1117/12.773329

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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jan 10, 2008•1 citation
Harnessing the unique optical quantum interference effects associated with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) on a chip promises new opportunities for linear and nonlinear optical devices. Here, we review the status of integrated atomic spectroscopy chips that could replace conventional rubidium spectroscopy cells. Both linear and nonlinear absorption spectroscopy with excellent performance are demonstrated on a chip using a self-contained Rb reservoir and exhibiting a footprint of only 1.5cm x 1cm. In addition, quantum interference effects including V-scheme and Λ-scheme EIT are observed in miniaturized rubidium glass cells whose fabrication is compatible with on-chip integration.
We review the current status of integrating optical quantum interference effects such as electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), slow light, and highly efficient nonlinear processes on a semiconductor chip. A necessary prerequisite for combining effects such as slow light and related phenomena with the convenience of integrated optics is the development of integrated alkali vapor cells. Here, we describe the development of integrated rubidium cells based on hollow-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs). Hollow-core waveguides were fabricated on a silicon platform using conventional microfabrication and filled with rubidium vapor using different methods. Rubidium absorption through the waveguides was successfully observed which opens the way to integrated atomic and molecular on a chip. The realization of quantum coherence effects requires additional surface treatment of the waveguide walls, and the effects of the surface coating on the waveguide properties are presented.
We discuss a new integrated approach to realizing optical quantum interference effects such as electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), slow light, and highly efficient nonlinear processes on a semiconductor chip. An ensemble of alkali atoms represents one of the canonical systems that exhibit slow light and related phenomena. At the same time, it would be desirable to build slow-light and related devices on a semiconductor platform in order to move to practical applications. We review progress towards combining the large magnitude of quantum interference effects in alkali vapors with the convenience of integrated optics in the form of hollow-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs). We discuss the benefits and challenges of this integrated approach with special emphasis on nonlinear optics. We present strategies to optimize the optical waveguides and discuss the current status of building rubidium-filled optical waveguides on a chip. Recent results on optimization of waveguide loss and transfer of rubidium atoms through hollow microchannels on a chip are presented.
This thesis presents the integration of atomic vapor cells with anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs) fabricated on silicon chips. These potentially provide a compact platform for a number of optical applications, including the study of quantum coherence effects such as electromagnetically induced transparency and single-photon nonlinearities, as well as frequency stabilization standards. The use of hollow waveguides allows for light propagation in low index (vapor) media with compact mode areas. ARROWs make particularly attractive waveguides for this purpose because they can be interfaced with solid core waveguides, microfabricated on a planar substrate, and are effectively single mode. ARROW fabrication utilizes an acid-removed sacrificial core surrounded by alternating plasma deposited dielectric layers, which act as Fabry-Perot reflectors. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the ARROW as a vapor cell, a platform consisting of solid and hollow core waveguides integrated with rubidium vapor cells was developed. A variety of sealing techniques were tested for vapor cell integration with the ARROW chip and for compatibility with rubidium. Rubidium was used because it is of particular interest for studying quantum coherence effects. Liquefied rubidium was transferred from a bulk supply into an on-chip vapor cell in an anaerobic atmosphere glovebox. Optical absorption measurements confirmed the presence of rubidium vapor within the hollow waveguide platform. Further analysis of the measurements revealed high optical density of rubidium atoms in the hollow core. Saturated absorption spectroscopy measurements verified that the on-chip integrated vapor cell was suitable for common precision spectroscopy applications.
The demonstration of slow, fast, and stopped light1 has helped generate considerable interest in quantum interference effects. In addition to producing intriguing physical phenomena, these effects will be valuable for future optical communications. Buffers using slow-light modules will be important elements in alloptical data networks. Cryptography systems may also be expected to use quantum interference effects for photon creation and detection. But if slow-light buffers and quantum cryptography are to be practical in real-world applications, wemust create miniaturized, stand-alone quantum interference modules. This is the aim of research involving on-chip atomic vapor cells integrated with optical waveguides Slow-light effects are a product of a medium with large, frequency-dependent gain or absorption features that then give rise to large dispersion characteristics. Our work employs quantum interference effects in atomic vapor to create large dispersion. At present, atomic vapor can provide excellent dispersion characteristics, but it usually requires a large system footprint. In classical optical setups, which beam a laser through a transparent vapor cell, there is also a constant trade-off between focal depth and beamwidth. By using on-chip hollow-core optical antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs), we are able to direct light down vapor-filled cores, maintaining large optical intensities over long distances. This is particularly beneficial for nonlinear optical effects that can be exploited for single-photon generation and detection. In addition, ARROW-based platforms also require only a small footprint (1×1cm). ARROWs are constructed by growing alternating layers of silicon oxide and silicon nitride around a sacrificial core on a silicon wafer. The alternating dielectric materials with specific thicknesses confine and guide light through antiresonance. After etching out the sacrificial core, we are left with a hollow channel into which we can introduce various gases and liquids for optical experiments. Solid waveguides etched into the silicon on Figure 1. A rubidium (Rb)-loaded ARROW atomic vapor cell.
We have recently reported atomic spectroscopy using on-chip rubidium vapor cells based on hollow core waveguides. To make the cells more robust and capable of multiple temperature cycles, we examined several techniques for Rb introduction and sealing. To date the most successful sealing technique has been pinching off the end of a short length of copper tubing. This technique not only hermetically seals the cells, but also allows them to be evacuated to a desired pressure. We have been able to evacuate glass prototype Rb vapor cells to a pressure as low as 80 mTorr and as high as 2 Torr and successfully observe the Rb optical absorption spectrum. Along with our testing of sealing techniques we have been observing the effects of different epoxies and inert gas atmospheres on the robustness of vapor cells. With optimal parameters we have successfully observed the Rb optical absorption spectrum through multiple temperature cycles. These new Rb introduction and sealing methods will be applied to on-chip cells containing integrated hollow waveguides which can be used for a number of different optical applications, such as electromagnetically induced transparency, single-photon nonlinearities, and slow light.