Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Chinese Physics B

Development of adjustable permanent magnet Zeeman slowers for optical lattice clocks

Xiaohang Zhang, Xinye Xu

Published May 1, 2017• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.1088/1674-1056/26/5/053701

Related papers

A simple, configurable, permanent magnet Zeeman Slower for Sr

Ian R. Hill, Yuri B. Ovchinnikov, Elizabeth M. Bridge +3 more

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.

European Frequency and Time Forum•Apr 1, 2012•5 citations

Zeeman slowers for strontium based on permanent magnets

Ian R Hill, Yuri B Ovchinnikov, Elizabeth M Bridge +2 more

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.

arXiv:1402.5271•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Mar 26, 2014•28 citations

Designing a permanent Zeeman slower for Sr optical clock

Yuli Xie

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.

Journal of Time and Frequency•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations

A Zeeman slower based on permanent magnets for optical atomic clocks

Sławomir Bilicki, Piotr Morzyński, Simon Stellmer +1 more

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.

Measurement Science and Technology•Jun 3, 2026•0 citations

Optimized design of a permanent Zeeman slower for an ytterbium optical lattice clock

Xiaohang Zhang, Xinye Xu

Abstract An optimized design of a permanent Zeeman slower for an ytterbium optical lattice clock is presented. The dependences of the magnetic field distributions on the detuning and intensity of the cooling laser are studied. The length and corresponding magnetic field distribution of the slower are analyzed by varying the efficiency parameter and saturation parameter of the cooling laser. Considering the slowing efficiency and the loading rate of the magneto-optical trap, the optimum length of the slower is about 15 cm, and its width is about 10 cm in our case. Finally, an adjustable slower with a slowing efficiency of 15.5% is proposed.

Laser Physics•Jun 22, 2016•1 citation

A Zeeman slower design with permanent magnets in a Halbach configuration

P. Cheiney, Olivier Carraz, D. Bartoszek-Bober +7 more

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.

arXiv:1101.3243•Review of Scientific Instruments•Jun 1, 2011•52 citations
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Abstract An optimized design of a permanent Zeeman slower for an ytterbium optical lattice clock is presented. The dependences of the magnetic field distributions on the detuning and intensity of the cooling laser are studied. The length and corresponding magnetic field distribution of the slower are analyzed by varying the efficiency parameter and saturation parameter of the cooling laser. Considering the slowing efficiency and the loading rate of the magneto-optical trap, the optimum length of the slower is about 15 cm, and its width is about 10 cm in our case. Finally, an adjustable slower with a slowing efficiency of 15.5% is proposed.
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.