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Applied Physics Letters

Perforated hollow-core optical waveguides for on-chip atomic spectroscopy and gas sensing

Matthieu Giraud-Carrier, Cameron Hill, Trevor K. Decker, Jennifer A. Black, Holger Schmidt, Aaron R. Hawkins

Published Mar 28, 2016• 16 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A hollow-core waveguide structure for on-chip atomic spectroscopy is presented. The devices are based on Anti-Resonant Reflecting Optical Waveguides and may be used for a wide variety of applications which rely on the interaction of light with gases and vapors. The designs presented here feature short delivery paths of the atomic vapor into the hollow waveguide. They also have excellent environmental stability by incorporating buried solid-core waveguides to deliver light to the hollow cores. Completed chips were packaged with an Rb source and the F = 3 ≥ F′ = 2, 3, 4 transitions of the D2 line in 85Rb were monitored for optical absorption. Maximum absorption peak depths of 9% were measured.

DOI
10.1063/1.4945092

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A hollow-core waveguide structure for on-chip atomic spectroscopy is presented. The devices are based on Anti-Resonant Reflecting Optical Waveguides and may be used for a wide variety of applications which rely on the interaction of light with gases and vapors. The designs presented here feature short delivery paths of the atomic vapor into the hollow waveguide. They also have excellent environmental stability by incorporating buried solid-core waveguides to deliver light to the hollow cores. Completed chips were packaged with an Rb source and the F = 3 ≥ F′ = 2, 3, 4 transitions of the D2 line in 85Rb were monitored for optical absorption. Maximum absorption peak depths of 9% were measured.
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.
Atomic vapors of alkali metals are widely used to slow and stop light in tabletop experiments. In order to take advantage of the underlying quantum interference effects in future commercial devices, highly reactive alkali atoms must be incorporated into small volumes with integrated optical access. With integration in mind, we describe the development of a hollow-core waveguide technology based on the combination of vapor-filled hollow waveguides and conventional solid-core waveguides on a silicon chip. We discuss the underlying principles of the waveguide design, the development of different approaches to building on-chip vapor cells, the demonstration of linear and nonlinear rubidium spectroscopy on a chip, and the prospects for quantum interference effects such as slow light and giant Kerr nonlinearities using this approach. Ultrasmall active vapor volumes on the order of 100 picoliters with simultaneously high optical density in excess of two illustrate the potential of planar hollow-core waveguides for linear and nonlinear optical spectroscopy of atoms confined on a chip.
Atomic spectroscopy relies on photons to probe the energy states of atoms, typically in a gas state. In addition to providing fundamental scientific information, this technique can be applied to a number of photonic devices including atomic clocks, laser stabilization references, slow light elements, and eventually quantum communications components. Atomic spectroscopy has classically been done using bulk optics and evacuated transparent vapor cells. Recently, a number of methods have been introduced to dramatically decrease the size of atomic spectroscopy systems by integrating optical functionality. We review three of these techniques including: 1) photonic crystal fiber based experiments, 2) wafer bonded mini-cells containing atomic vapors and integrated with lasers and detectors, and 3) hollow waveguides containing atomic vapors fabricated on silicon substrates. In the context of silicon photonics, we will emphasize the hollow waveguide platform. At the heart of these devices is the anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguide (ARROW). ARROW fabrication techniques will be described for both hollow and solid core designs. Solid-core waveguides are necessary to direct light on and off the silicon chip while confining atomic vapors to hollow-core waveguides. We will also discuss the methods and challenges of attaching rubidium vapor reservoirs to the chip. Experimental results for optical spectroscopy of rubidium atoms on a chip will be presented.
The integration of hollow anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs) with vapor cells on silicon chips provides 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 acidremoved sacrificial core surrounded by alternating plasma deposited dielectric layers, which act as Fabry-Perot reflectors. A demonstration platform consisting of solid and hollow core waveguides integrated with rubidium vapor cells has been constructed. 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. Coherence dephasing in the small dimensions of the ARROW (quantum coherence effect) can be addressed by adding a buffer gas and passivation coatings to the ARROW walls.
Abstract Atomic spectroscopy is a well‐established, integral part of the physicist's toolbox with an extremely broad range of applications ranging from astronomy to single atom quantum optics. While highly desirable, miniaturization of atomic spectroscopy techniques on the chip scale was hampered by the apparent incompatibility of conventional solid‐state integrated optics and gaseous media. Here, the state of the art of atomic spectroscopy in hollow‐core optical waveguides is reviewed The two main approaches to confining light in low index atomic vapors are described: hollow‐core photonic crystal fiber (HC‐PCF) and planar antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs). Waveguide design, fabrication, and characterization are reviewed along with the current performance as compact atomic spectroscopy devices. The article specifically focuses on the realization of quantum interference effects in alkali atoms which may enable radically new optical devices based on low‐level nonlinear interactions on the single photon level for frequency standards and quantum communication systems.