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SPIE Future Sensing Technologies

CubeSat frequency reference for Quantum technology mission

Sapam Ranjita Chanu, Soe Moe Thar, Aaron Strangfeld, Simon Kanthak, Markus Krutzik, Alexander Ling

Published Nov 8, 2020• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report on our latest progress on the ongoing development of a compact optical frequency reference for CubeSat missions in LEO. This reference will be based on Doppler free laser spectroscopy of rubidium vapor. Our simplified solution is based on frequency modulation spectroscopy using a customized, shielded 5 mm long vapor cell and a monolithic distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode on a mesoscopic breadboard setup. The electro-optical system features miniaturized optics as well as a polarization maintaining fiber coupling inside a housing with dimensions of 70 mm × 26 mm × 19 mm (38 cm³). The latter will be installed on a 90 mm × 80mm electronics board for full functionality of the system. This way, our reference constitutes a key technology for future compact, simple and robust atomic quantum technologies for nanosatellite applications.

DOI
10.1117/12.2581695

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We report on our latest progress on the ongoing development of a compact optical frequency reference for CubeSat missions in LEO. This reference will be based on Doppler free laser spectroscopy of rubidium vapor. Our simplified solution is based on frequency modulation spectroscopy using a customized, shielded 5 mm long vapor cell and a monolithic distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode on a mesoscopic breadboard setup. The electro-optical system features miniaturized optics as well as a polarization maintaining fiber coupling inside a housing with dimensions of 70 mm × 26 mm × 19 mm (38 cm³). The latter will be installed on a 90 mm × 80mm electronics board for full functionality of the system. This way, our reference constitutes a key technology for future compact, simple and robust atomic quantum technologies for nanosatellite applications.
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This study investigates the application of miniature quantum references within small-scale optical atomic frequency standards, utilizing a diminutive 87 Rb glass cell, dimensions of 6 mm × 6 mm × 6 mm, to establish a quantum frequency standard.By employing the transition spectrum from 5 2 S 1/2 F = 2 to 5 2 P 3/2 F 0 =3, this study successfully demonstrates the development of a compact rubidium atomic optical frequency standard via modulation transfer spectroscopy (MTS).Subsequent to frequency stabilization, the 780 nm clock laser exhibits a linewidth of 6.9 kHz, and its out-of-loop short-term stability reaches 4.1 × 10 -13 @ 1 s, as confirmed through beat frequency analysis.This research not only provides a practical blueprint for the development of small optical atomic frequency standards but also lays down essential groundwork for future advancements in chip-level optical frequency standard technologies.
We have developed a novel millimetre-sized monolithic fibre-coupled rubidium saturated absorption spectroscopy laser reference suitable for quantum sensing applications. It is based on our novel MEMs vapour cell technology and bonding of optical elements to create a monolithic spectroscopy module. Our unit reproduces the signal visibility of a 70 mm long cell and is compatible with standard packaging techniques. The unit has no free-space elements that would otherwise be subject to vibration. Our reference uniquely combines the qualities of robustness, miniaturisation and signal strength providing an optimal solution for mobile quantum sensing platforms including space and aerospace.
Abstract Locking laser frequencies to Doppler-free spectra produced by the interaction of light with alkali atoms in a vapor cell is a promising approach for realizing compact atomic optical frequency reference. In this work, we employ counter-propagating monochromatic laser beams with a polarization angle of 45° to interact with 87 Rb atoms in a 3 mm cubic vapor cell, inducing coherent resonance. By detecting the laser polarization rotation, we obtain a Doppler free spectral line, which is used as a reference for laser frequency locking, thus realizing an optical reference. We build two nominally identical systems and measure their beatnote, yielding a fractional frequency stability of 5.3×10 -13 at 1 s. This study demonstrates that the proposed scheme is a competitive approach for realizing high performance compact atomic optical reference.
Optical frequency standards, or lasers stabilized to atomic or molecular transitions, are widely used in length metrology and laser ranging, provide a backbone for optical communications and lie at the heart of next-generation optical atomic clocks. Here we demonstrate a compact, low-power optical frequency reference based on the Doppler-free, two-photon transition in rubidium-87 at 778 nm implemented on a micro-optics breadboard. Our optical reference achieves a fractional frequency instability of 2.9×10−12/ τ for averaging times τ less than 103 s, has a volume of ≈35 cm3 and operates on ≈450 mW of electrical power. The advanced optical integration presented here demonstrates a key step towards the development of compact optical clocks and the broad dissemination of SI-traceable wavelength references.
We present the development and complete spectral characterization of our compact and frequency-stabilized laser heads, to be used for rubidium atomic clocks and basic spectroscopy. The light source is a Distributed Feed-Back (DFB) laser diode emitting at 780 nm or 795 nm. The laser frequency is stabilized on a sub-Doppler absorption peak of the 87Rb atom, obtained from an evacuated rubidium cell. These laser heads, including the electronics for the light signals detection, have an overall volume of 0.63 liters. We also present a variant of the laser head into which is integrated an Acousto-Optical Modulator (AOM) that precisely detunes the laser frequency in order to minimize the AC Stark shift in Rb atomic clocks.