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Applied Optics

Modular-assembled laser system for a long-baseline atom interferometer

Rundong Xu, Qi Wang, Sitong Yan, Zhuo Hou, Chuan He, Yu-Hang Ji, Zhixin Li, Junjie Jiang, Biyan Qiao, Lin Zhou, Ji Wang, Mingsheng Zhan

Published May 5, 2022• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The Zhaoshan long-baseline Atom Interferometer Gravitation Antenna (ZAIGA) is a new, to the best of our knowledge, type of large-scale atom interferometer facility under construction for the study of gravitation and related problems. To meet the different requirements of the laser system for the atom interferometer using various atoms (including 85 R b , 87 R b , 87 S r , and 88 S r ), we design and implement a modular assembled laser system. By dividing the laser system into different basic units according to their functions and modularizing each unit, the laser system is made highly scalable while being compact and stable. Its intensity stability is better than 0.1% in 1 0 2 s and 0.5% in 1 0 4 s . We test the performance of the laser system with two experimental systems, i.e., an 85 R b − 87 R b dual-species ultracold atom source and an 85 R b atom interferometer. The 85 R b − 87 R b dual-species magneto-optical trap and the 85 R b atom interference fringes are realized by using this laser system, indicating that its technical performance can meet the major experimental requirements.

DOI
10.1364/ao.458361

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The Zhaoshan long-baseline Atom Interferometer Gravitation Antenna (ZAIGA) is a new, to the best of our knowledge, type of large-scale atom interferometer facility under construction for the study of gravitation and related problems. To meet the different requirements of the laser system for the atom interferometer using various atoms (including 85 R b , 87 R b , 87 S r , and 88 S r ), we design and implement a modular assembled laser system. By dividing the laser system into different basic units according to their functions and modularizing each unit, the laser system is made highly scalable while being compact and stable. Its intensity stability is better than 0.1% in 1 0 2 s and 0.5% in 1 0 4 s . We test the performance of the laser system with two experimental systems, i.e., an 85 R b − 87 R b dual-species ultracold atom source and an 85 R b atom interferometer. The 85 R b − 87 R b dual-species magneto-optical trap and the 85 R b atom interference fringes are realized by using this laser system, indicating that its technical performance can meet the major experimental requirements.
We design and implement a laser system for 85 R b and 87 R b dual-species atom interferometers based on acousto-optic frequency shift and tapered amplifier laser technologies. We use eight-pass acousto-optic modulators to generate repumping lasers for 85 R b and 87 R b atoms. The maximum frequency shift of the laser is 2.8 GHz, and the diffraction efficiency is higher than 20%. We use high-frequency acousto-optic modulators to generate the Raman lasers. This laser system uses only two seed lasers to provide the various frequencies required by 85 R b and 87 R b dual-species atom interferometers, which greatly improves laser usage. The laser system is applied in the equivalence principle test experiment using an 85 R b and 87 R b dual-species atom interferometer. The signal of atoms launched to 12 meters is successfully observed, and the resolution of gravity differential measurement is improved from 8 × 10 − 9 g to 1 × 10 − 10 g .
Atom Interferometry methods open new prospectives for absolute acceleration measurements; the quantum features of matter and the employment of atomic test masses with manipulation technique of internal and external degrees of freedom lead to a new generation of quantum sensors. In this thesis I present the development of a prototype for a transportable sensor at system and subsystem level. An instrument with such characteristics can find applications in many felds. The work has been developed in the framework of two European projects respectively oriented to the realization of an atom interferometry based absolute gravimeter for geophysical and metrological applications and to the realization of a Space Atom Interferometer for tests in micro-gravity environment. In order to focus on the possible scientific landscape I briefy illustrate in the introduction the existing devices and their characteristic performances, pointing out how the atom interferometry may represent a valid alternative leading to a new generation of quantum devices. The study, the development and the realization stages for our instrument are presented either for the laser system realization and for the the implementation of the whole apparatus. This work leads to the development of a very compact atomic physics interferometric system responding to the scientific requirements that represent our target. From the laser system side it has been realized also a complete and compact apparatus organized in a modular framework with stand alone components characterized by high working performances. This laser subsystem also includes laser sources in an external cavity configuration specially oriented to transportable apparatuses; they are characterized by an intrinsical passive stability, robustness and very narrow emission linewidth. The experience with neutral atom manipulation and with atom cooling and trapping technique has been integrated with a direct implementation, characterization and optimization of a Two Dimensional Magneto Optical Trap as a cold atoms source for an operating Atom Interferometer. Such kind of implementation represents a fundamental topic for a transportable sensor realization.
Rb atoms - a typical atomic species for emerging quantum technologies. This device, a customized laser system from the Muquans company, is designed for use in the challenging operating environment of the Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit (LSBB) in France, where a new large scale atom interferometer is being constructed underground - the MIGA antenna. The mobile bench comprises four frequency-agile C-band Telecom diode lasers that are frequency doubled to 780 nm after passing through high-power fiber amplifiers. The first laser is frequency stabilized on a saturated absorption signal via lock-in amplification, which serves as an optical frequency reference for the other three lasers via optical phase-locked loops. Power and polarization stability are maintained through a series of custom, flexible micro-optic splitter/combiners that contain polarization optics, acousto-optic modulators, and shutters. Here, we show how the laser system is designed, showcasing qualities such as reliability, stability, remote control, and flexibility, while maintaining the qualities of laboratory equipment. We characterize the laser system by measuring the power, polarization, and frequency stability. We conclude with a demonstration using a cold atom source from the MIGA project and show that this laser system fulfills all requirements for the realization of the antenna.
Atom interferometry has hugely benefitted from advances made in cold atom physics over the past twenty years, and ultra-precise quantum sensors are now available for a wide range of applications [1]. In particular, cold atom interferometers have shown excellent performances in the field of acceleration and rotation measurements [2,3], and are foreseen as promising candidates for navigation, geophysics, geo-prospecting and tests of fundamental physics such as the Universality of Free Fall (UFF). In order to carry out a test of the UFF with atoms as test masses, one needs to compare precisely the accelerations of two atoms with different masses as they fall in the Earth’s gravitational field. The sensitivity of atom interferometers scales like the square of the time during which the atoms are in free fall, and on ground this interrogation time is limited by the size of the experimental setup to a fraction of a second. Sending an atom interferometer in space would allow for several seconds of excellent free-fall conditions, and tests of the UFF could be carried out with precisions as low as 10-15 [4]. However, cold atoms experiments rely on complex laser systems, which are needed to cool down and manipulate the atoms, and these systems are usually very sensitive to temperature fluctuations and vibrations. In addition, when operating an inertial sensor, vibrations are a major issue, as they deteriorate the performances of the instrument. This is why cold atom interferometers are usually used in ground based facilities, which provide stable enough environments. In order to carry out airborne or space-borne measurements, one has to design an instrument which is both compact and stable, and such that vibrations induced by the platform will not deteriorate the sensitivity of the sensor. We report on the operation of an atom interferometer on board a plane carrying out parabolic flights (Airbus A300 Zero-G, operated by Novespace). We have constructed a compact and stable laser setup, which is well suited for onboard applications. Our goal is to implement a dual-species Rb-K atom interferometer in order to carry out a test of the UFF in the plane. In this perspective, we are designing a dual-wavelength laser source, which will enable us to cool down and coherently manipulate the quantum states of both atoms. We have successfully tested a preliminary version of the source and obtained a double species magneto-optical trap (MOT).
A laser system for a light-pulse atom interferometer typically includes a number of laser sources for cooling and for atom optics to meet different frequency detuning requirements at different stages of a measurement sequence. The number of laser units required makes the achievable minimum size and power of the instrument challenging, especially for space applications. We demonstrate a compact cesium atom interferometer operated by only a single laser. This is achieved by dynamically changing the laser output frequency while maintaining spectroscopic reference to an atomic transition. We are able to generate cold atoms and obtain atom interferometer fringes all with the same laser.
The optical system is a complex and precise subsystem for the atom interferometer (AI), especially for those used in field or space applications. Here, we introduce the design of the optical system of the China Space Station atom interferometer (CSSAI). The scheme is optimized to reduce the complexity while maintaining the capability to achieve dual-species AI. It features a fused silica optical bench with bonding technology, ensuring compactness and smaller thermal deformation. Spatial structures are designed to isolate the vibration and transfer the heat. After assembling, the optical system has a size of 250 mm × 240 mm × 104 mm and weighs 5.2 kg. After installing in the CSSAI, it passed the thermal and mechanical tests and then launched to the China Space Station (CSS). The output laser power changes are less than 15% from ground to space, and its long-term fluctuations are less than 2.5% for months in space. Cold atom preparation and interference are also realized in space. This optical system is extremely integrated and robust, which provides a foundation for the design of future cold atom payloads in space.