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

Towards a Strontium Optical Clock System with Metasurface Optics and Integrated Nonlinear Photonics

Andrew R. Ferdinand, David R. Carlson, Zachary L. Newman, Sindhu Jammi, Wenqi Zhu, Zheng Luo, Will Lunden, Parth Patel, Dan Sheredy, Grisha Spektor, Daniel D. Hickstein, Travis Briles, Martin M. Boyd, Amit Kumar Agrawal, Scott B. Papp

Published Jan 1, 2023• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

We report on a strontium optical clock built with integrated photonics. We implement free-space laser beam control of positioning, pointing, shaping, polarization, and integration with metasurface optics, and laser-frequency absolute stabilization with waveguide supercontinuum generators.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_si.2023.sm2k.2

Related papers

A scalable infrastructure for strontium optical clocks with integrated photonics

Zheng Luo, Travis C. Briles, Zachary L. Newman +16 more

Optical atomic clocks provide exceptionally accurate and precise signals for timekeeping and precision measurements, but they require high-power, free-space laser configurations that limit scalability. We introduce and explore a scalable infrastructure for strontium (Sr) optical-lattice clocks that incorporates co-design of atomic-beam slowing and a magneto-optical trap (MOT) from an effusion source, generation of complex, three-dimensional free-space laser configurations with a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and metasurface (MS) optics, and laser stabilization to a frequency-comb supercontinuum generated with integrated nonlinear photonics. With these elements, we realize MOTs of all stable strontium isotopes ($^{84}$Sr, $^{86}$Sr, $^{87}$Sr, $^{88}$Sr) with populations commensurate with natural abundances, demonstrating precise beam control and robustness. Access to laser-cooled alkaline-earth atoms with scalable integrated photonics enables system engineering for optical clocks, quantum sensing, and quantum information, and our experiments demonstrate extensible technologies that advance toward a Sr optical clock largely free of bulk optics.

arXiv:2604.03229•Apr 3, 2026•0 citations

Integrated Photonics for a Compact Strontium Optical Clock

Sindhu Jammi, Andrew R. Ferdinand, Zachary L. Newman +14 more

We explore photonic-integrated circuits and metasurface optics to generate multiple, large diameter, circularly polarized laser beams for a compact strontium optical clock. We demonstrate an 88Sr magneto-optical trap with integrated photonics in a liter-scale apparatus.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2022•0 citations

A scalable infrastructure for strontium optical clocks

Andrew R. Ferdinand, Zachary L. Newman, Wenqi Zhu +13 more

We demonstrate a scalable, integrated photonics infrastructure for optical atomic clocks. We laser cool and trap 4 × 105 87Sr atoms in a magneto-optical trap, using metasurface optics and a compact, single-chamber vacuum system.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2022•3 citations

Integrated Optical Control for Scalable Atomic Quantum Systems

Amit Agrawal

Abstract We demonstrate a two-colour, alignment-free 87Sr magneto optical trap with fully integrated multi-color metasurface photonics. We characterize the metasurface functionality, performance and facilitate laser cooling and trapping of strontium for realization of a compact optical lattice clock.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Nov 1, 2025•0 citations

Compact 88Sr Optical Lattice Clock System with Metasurface Optics for Laser Cooling

Zheng Luo, Andrew R. Ferdinand, Sindhu Jammi +12 more

We demonstrate a scalable, integrated photonics infrastructure for compact optical clocks. In this alignment-free MOT 88Sr atoms are cooled to 3 µK and loaded into an optical lattice, ready for ultranarrow clock transition interrogation.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2024•0 citations

Alignment-free Sr MOT with integrated metasurfaces for a compact Sr optical clock

Sindhu Jammi, Andrew R. Ferdinand, Wenqi Zhu +13 more

We demonstrate an alignment-free 87Sr magneto optical trap with fully integrated multicolor metasurface photonics. We characterize the functionality of these metasurfaces to facilitate laser cooling and trapping for a compact optical clock.

•Jan 1, 2023•1 citation
Optical atomic clocks provide exceptionally accurate and precise signals for timekeeping and precision measurements, but they require high-power, free-space laser configurations that limit scalability. We introduce and explore a scalable infrastructure for strontium (Sr) optical-lattice clocks that incorporates co-design of atomic-beam slowing and a magneto-optical trap (MOT) from an effusion source, generation of complex, three-dimensional free-space laser configurations with a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and metasurface (MS) optics, and laser stabilization to a frequency-comb supercontinuum generated with integrated nonlinear photonics. With these elements, we realize MOTs of all stable strontium isotopes (84^{84}84Sr, 86^{86}86Sr, 87^{87}87Sr, 88^{88}88Sr) with populations commensurate with natural abundances, demonstrating precise beam control and robustness. Access to laser-cooled alkaline-earth atoms with scalable integrated photonics enables system engineering for optical clocks, quantum sensing, and quantum information, and our experiments demonstrate extensible technologies that advance toward a Sr optical clock largely free of bulk optics.