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Journal of Time and Frequency

Designing a permanent Zeeman slower for Sr optical clock

Yuli Xie

Published Jan 1, 2014• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Transverse Zeeman slower composed of an array of permanent magnets is investigated for Sr optical clock. We calculated the magnetic field distribution of 88 Sr atoms based on experimental condition, achieving a reduction of the velocity of atoms from 410 m/s to 50 m/s. The atoms flux through the transverse magnetic field was 7.9×105. Such permanent Zeeman slower needs no high currents or water cooling and the spatial distribution of its magnetic field can be adjusted. Another advantage of this Zeeman slower is its small size and high reliability. Therefore, a miniature Zeeman slower can be attained.

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Transverse Zeeman slower composed of an array of permanent magnets is investigated for Sr optical clock. We calculated the magnetic field distribution of 88 Sr atoms based on experimental condition, achieving a reduction of the velocity of atoms from 410 m/s to 50 m/s. The atoms flux through the transverse magnetic field was 7.9×105. Such permanent Zeeman slower needs no high currents or water cooling and the spatial distribution of its magnetic field can be adjusted. Another advantage of this Zeeman slower is its small size and high reliability. Therefore, a miniature Zeeman slower can be attained.
We develop a permanent-magnet Zeeman slower with adjustable magnets along the longitudinal and radial directions. Produced by four arrays of cylindrical magnets, the longitudinal magnetic field in the slower is tunable if relevant parameters vary, for example, laser detuning or intensity. The proposed Zeeman slower can be reconfigured for Sr atoms. Additionally, we demonstrate that the residual magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets in the magneto-optical trap region can be as small as 0.5 Gs.
Abstract We present a modular Zeeman slower (ZS) based on permanent magnets, designed for miniaturized quantum sensor applications like Sr optical lattice clocks. Using a longitudinal magnetic field geometry, the 3D printed system replicates the field profile of traditional solenoid-based ZSs without power consumption or active cooling. The ZS achieves comparable performance to solenoid-based designs, with a similar number of Sr atoms loaded into the magneto-optical trap at 461 nm transition. This approach offers a low-cost, low-power solution for portable quantum technologies.
We present the design, construction, and characterization of longitudinal- and transverse-field Zeeman slowers, based on arrays of permanent magnets, for slowing thermal beams of atomic Sr. The slowers are optimized for operation with deceleration related to the local laser intensity (by the parameter ), which uses more effectively the available laser power, in contrast to the usual constant deceleration mode. Slowing efficiencies of up to ≈18% are realized and compared to those predicted by modelling. We highlight the transverse-field slower, which is compact, highly tunable, light-weight, and requires no electrical power, as a simple solution to slowing Sr, well-suited to space-borne application. For 88 Sr we achieve a slow-atom flux of around 6 × 10 9 atoms s −1 at 30 ms −1 , loading approximately 5 × 10 8 atoms in to a magneto-optical-trap, and capture all isotopes in approximate relative natural abundances.
We report the successful demonstration and characterisation of a Zeeman slower based on an array of permanent magnets, implemented for atomic Sr on the1S0→1P1transition at 461 nm. Measurements of longitudinal velocity distributions and MOT loading characteristics are presented. In particular, we highlight a simple transverse-field slower, which is both compact and highly tunable, light weight (≤ 2 kg), and with no power load, as a favourable option for space-borne operation. For optimum parameters of this slower we achieve a slow flux of ~ 3.5 × 109atom/s at ~ 30 m/s for88Sr and load ~ 2.5 × 107atoms into a magneto-optical-trap (MOT) operating on the same1S0→1P1transition, which scales approximately with the relative isotopic natural abundances of Sr. With the addition of repumpers at 707 nm and 679 nm, we achieve a factor of ~ 17 enhancement to MOT number with loading time ~ 0.5 s.
We describe a simple Zeeman slower design using permanent magnets. Contrary to common wire-wound setups, no electric power and water cooling are required. In addition, the whole system can be assembled and disassembled at will. The magnetic field is however transverse to the atomic motion and an extra repumper laser is necessary. A Halbach configuration of the magnets produces a high quality magnetic field and no further adjustment is needed. After optimization of the laser parameters, the apparatus produces an intense beam of slow and cold (87)Rb atoms. With typical fluxes of (1-5) × 10(10) atoms/s at 30 m s(-1), our apparatus efficiently loads a large magneto-optical trap with more than 10(10) atoms in 1 s, which is an ideal starting point for degenerate quantum gas experiments.
We describe the design, construction, and characterization of a permanent-magnet-based, transverse-field Zeeman slower for lithium atoms. We use off-the-shelf, compact permanent bar magnets in the Halbach configuration to create a uniform magnetic field in the transverse direction. We develop a general approach for a mechanical structure that supports the spatial distribution of magnets using 3D printing technology. The approach allows for flexible assembly and dismantling of the magnetic field on the target vacuum system. Finally, we verify that the Zeeman slower supports a high flux of slow atoms in the region of the magneto-optical trap.