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Integrated optical components on atom chips

S. Eriksson, Trupke, M, Powell, H F, Sahagun, D, Christopher D. J. Sinclair, Curtis, E A, Sauer, B E, Hinds, E A, Z. Moktadir, Gollasch, C O, Kraft, M

Published Feb 7, 2005• 33 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We report on the integration of small-scale optical components into silicon wafers for use in atom chips. We present an on-chip fibre-optic atom detection scheme that can probe clouds with small atom numbers. The fibres can also be used to generate microscopic dipole traps. We describe our most recent results with optical microcavities and show that single-atom detection can be realised on an atom chip. The key components have been fabricated by etching directly into the atom chip silicon substrate.

Related papers

Towards an integrated atom chip

G. Lewis

The field of atom chips is a relatively new area of research which is rapidly becoming of great interest to the scientific community. It started out as a small branch of cold atom physics which has quickly grown into a multidisciplinary\nsubject. It now encompasses topics from fundamental atomic and quantum theory, optics and laser science, to the engineering of ultra sensitive sensors.\n\nIn this thesis the first steps are taken towards a truly integrated atom chip device for real world applications. Multiple devices are presented that allow the trapping, cooling, manipulation and counting of atoms. Each device presents a new component required for the integration and miniaturisation of atom chips\ninto a single device, capable of being used as a sensor.\n\nInitially, a wire trap was created capable of trapping and splitting a cloud of BoseEinstein condensate (BEC) for use in atom interferometry. Using this chip a BEC has been successfully created, trapped and coherent splitting of this cloud has been achieved.\n\nSubsequently, the integration and simplification of the initial trapping process was approached. In all the experiments to date, atoms are initially collected from a warm vapour by a magneto-optical trap (MOT). This thesis presents a new approach in which microscopic pyramidal MOTs’ are integrated into the chip itself. This greatly reduces the number of optical components and helps to simplify the process significantly.\n\nAlso presented is a method for creating a planar-concave micro-cavity capable of single atom detection. One such cavity consists of a concave mirror fabricated in silicon and the planar tip of an optical fibre. The performance of the resonators\nis highly dependent on the surface roughness and shape profile of the concave mirrors therefore a detailed study into the fabrication technique and its effects on these parameters was undertaken. Using such cavities single atom detection has been shown to be possible. These cavities have also been sccessfully integrated into an atom wire guide.\n\nFinally a co-sputtered amorphous silicon/titanium (a-Si/Ti) nanocomposite material was created and studied for its use as a novel structural material. This material is potentially suitable for integrated circuitry (IC)/Micro-electromechanical-\nsystems (MEMS) integration. The material’s electrical and\nstructural properties were investigated and initial results suggest that a-Si/Ti has the potential to be a compelling structural material for future IC/MEMS integration.\n\nTo build all of these devices, a full range of standard microfabrication techniques was necessary as well as some non standard processes that required considerable process development such as the electrochemical deposition.\n\nThis thesis presents a tool box of fabrication techniques for creating various components capable of different tasks that can be integrated into a single device. Each component has been successfully demonstrated in laboratory conditions. This represents a significant step toward a real world atom chip device.

•Mar 1, 2009•0 citations

Possibility of single-atom detection on a chip

Péter Horák, Bruce G. Klappauf, Albrecht Haase +4 more

We investigate the optical detection of single atoms held in a microscopic atom trap close to a surface. Laser light is guided by optical fibers or optical microstructures via the atom to a photodetector. Our results suggest that with present-day technology microcavities can be built around the atom with sufficiently high finesse to permit unambiguous detection of a single atom in the trap with $10\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ of integration. We compare resonant and nonresonant detection schemes and discuss the requirements for detecting an atom without causing it to undergo spontaneous emission.

arXiv:quant-ph/0210090•Physical Review A•Apr 11, 2003•105 citations

The integration of fibre optics for atom chips

Stephen John Helsby

This thesis reports on the progress made towards the integration of fibre optics components for the atom chip, a device developed to manipulate matter on the atomic scale for the purpose of quantum information processing, novel applications, and fundamental research. Following in the direction of the electronics industry, miniaturisation has resulted in exquisite control of cold atoms above surfaces, allowing the vision of a matter wave toolbox to come closer to fruition. However, although the size of the components necessary for guiding atoms via magnetic or electrostatic fields has been greatly reduced, there is still a need to scale down the optical components. The development of these cavities is detailed in this thesis, from early use of evaporated gold coated mirrors to the fully integral solution of photorefractive Bragg gratings. In addition to a thorough analysis of the optical properties of these fibre gap cavities, experimental results indicate that these gap cavity devices can be constructed with the sensitivity necessary for single atom detection.

•Mar 1, 2008•0 citations

PROGRESS IN ATOM CHIPS AND THE INTEGRATION OF OPTICAL MICROCAVITIES

Edward A. Hinds, Michael Trupke, Benoît Darquié +2 more

We review recent progress at the Centre for Cold Matter in developing atom chips. An important advantage of miniaturizing atom traps on a chip is the possibility of obtaining very tight trapping structures with the capability of manipulating atoms on the micron length scale. We recall some of the pros and cons of bringing atoms close to the chip surface, as is required in order to make small static structures, and we discuss the relative merits of metallic, dielectric and superconducting chip surfaces. We point out that the addition of integrated optical devices on the chip can enhance its capability through single atom detection and controlled photon production. Finally, we review the status of integrated microcavities that have recently been demonstrated at our Centre and discuss their prospects for future development.

•Jan 1, 2008•0 citations

PROGRESS IN ATOM CHIPS AND THE INTEGRATION OF OPTICAL MICROCAVITIES

E. A. HINDS, M. TRUPKE, Benoît Darquié +2 more

We review recent progress at the Centre for Cold Matter in developing atom chips. An important advantage of miniaturizing atom traps on a chip is the possibility of obtaining very tight trapping structures with the capability of manipulating atoms on the micron length scale. We recall some of the pros and cons of bringing atoms close to the chip surface, as is required in order to make small static structures, and we discuss the relative merits of metallic, dielectric and superconducting chip surfaces. We point out that the addition of integrated optical devices on the chip can enhance its capability through single atom detection and controlled photon production. Finally, we review the status of integrated microcavities that have recently been demonstrated at our Centre and discuss their prospects for future development.

arXiv:0802.0987•Laser Spectroscopy•Apr 1, 2008•0 citations

Integration of a tunable optical micro-cavity for single atom detection on an atom chip

Carsten Gollasch, Z. Moktadir, G. Lewis +4 more

Recent experiments demonstrated single-atom detection using microscopic optical cavities. Here we present an optical micro-cavity whose length can be tuned using an electrostatic comb-drive. This design is suitable for integration into a silicon atom chip.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•May 1, 2007•0 citations
We report on the integration of small-scale optical components into silicon wafers for use in atom chips. We present an on-chip fibre-optic atom detection scheme that can probe clouds with small atom numbers. The fibres can also be used to generate microscopic dipole traps. We describe our most recent results with optical microcavities and show that single-atom detection can be realised on an atom chip. The key components have been fabricated by etching directly into the atom chip silicon substrate.
The field of atom chips is a relatively new area of research which is rapidly becoming of great interest to the scientific community. It started out as a small branch of cold atom physics which has quickly grown into a multidisciplinary\nsubject. It now encompasses topics from fundamental atomic and quantum theory, optics and laser science, to the engineering of ultra sensitive sensors.\n\nIn this thesis the first steps are taken towards a truly integrated atom chip device for real world applications. Multiple devices are presented that allow the trapping, cooling, manipulation and counting of atoms. Each device presents a new component required for the integration and miniaturisation of atom chips\ninto a single device, capable of being used as a sensor.\n\nInitially, a wire trap was created capable of trapping and splitting a cloud of BoseEinstein condensate (BEC) for use in atom interferometry. Using this chip a BEC has been successfully created, trapped and coherent splitting of this cloud has been achieved.\n\nSubsequently, the integration and simplification of the initial trapping process was approached. In all the experiments to date, atoms are initially collected from a warm vapour by a magneto-optical trap (MOT). This thesis presents a new approach in which microscopic pyramidal MOTs’ are integrated into the chip itself. This greatly reduces the number of optical components and helps to simplify the process significantly.\n\nAlso presented is a method for creating a planar-concave micro-cavity capable of single atom detection. One such cavity consists of a concave mirror fabricated in silicon and the planar tip of an optical fibre. The performance of the resonators\nis highly dependent on the surface roughness and shape profile of the concave mirrors therefore a detailed study into the fabrication technique and its effects on these parameters was undertaken. Using such cavities single atom detection has been shown to be possible. These cavities have also been sccessfully integrated into an atom wire guide.\n\nFinally a co-sputtered amorphous silicon/titanium (a-Si/Ti) nanocomposite material was created and studied for its use as a novel structural material. This material is potentially suitable for integrated circuitry (IC)/Micro-electromechanical-\nsystems (MEMS) integration. The material’s electrical and\nstructural properties were investigated and initial results suggest that a-Si/Ti has the potential to be a compelling structural material for future IC/MEMS integration.\n\nTo build all of these devices, a full range of standard microfabrication techniques was necessary as well as some non standard processes that required considerable process development such as the electrochemical deposition.\n\nThis thesis presents a tool box of fabrication techniques for creating various components capable of different tasks that can be integrated into a single device. Each component has been successfully demonstrated in laboratory conditions. This represents a significant step toward a real world atom chip device.
We investigate the optical detection of single atoms held in a microscopic atom trap close to a surface. Laser light is guided by optical fibers or optical microstructures via the atom to a photodetector. Our results suggest that with present-day technology microcavities can be built around the atom with sufficiently high finesse to permit unambiguous detection of a single atom in the trap with $10\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ of integration. We compare resonant and nonresonant detection schemes and discuss the requirements for detecting an atom without causing it to undergo spontaneous emission.
This thesis reports on the progress made towards the integration of fibre optics components for the atom chip, a device developed to manipulate matter on the atomic scale for the purpose of quantum information processing, novel applications, and fundamental research. Following in the direction of the electronics industry, miniaturisation has resulted in exquisite control of cold atoms above surfaces, allowing the vision of a matter wave toolbox to come closer to fruition. However, although the size of the components necessary for guiding atoms via magnetic or electrostatic fields has been greatly reduced, there is still a need to scale down the optical components. The development of these cavities is detailed in this thesis, from early use of evaporated gold coated mirrors to the fully integral solution of photorefractive Bragg gratings. In addition to a thorough analysis of the optical properties of these fibre gap cavities, experimental results indicate that these gap cavity devices can be constructed with the sensitivity necessary for single atom detection.
We review recent progress at the Centre for Cold Matter in developing atom chips. An important advantage of miniaturizing atom traps on a chip is the possibility of obtaining very tight trapping structures with the capability of manipulating atoms on the micron length scale. We recall some of the pros and cons of bringing atoms close to the chip surface, as is required in order to make small static structures, and we discuss the relative merits of metallic, dielectric and superconducting chip surfaces. We point out that the addition of integrated optical devices on the chip can enhance its capability through single atom detection and controlled photon production. Finally, we review the status of integrated microcavities that have recently been demonstrated at our Centre and discuss their prospects for future development.
We review recent progress at the Centre for Cold Matter in developing atom chips. An important advantage of miniaturizing atom traps on a chip is the possibility of obtaining very tight trapping structures with the capability of manipulating atoms on the micron length scale. We recall some of the pros and cons of bringing atoms close to the chip surface, as is required in order to make small static structures, and we discuss the relative merits of metallic, dielectric and superconducting chip surfaces. We point out that the addition of integrated optical devices on the chip can enhance its capability through single atom detection and controlled photon production. Finally, we review the status of integrated microcavities that have recently been demonstrated at our Centre and discuss their prospects for future development.