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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim (CLEO-PR)

Strontium-88 Cold Atomic Source with Double Color Zeeman Slower

Jianing Li, Swarup Das, Chang Chi Kwong, T. Zanon-Willette, Shau-Yu Lan, David Wilkowski

Published Jul 31, 2022• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We design and build up a compact Strontium atomic source based on a new scheme of double-frequency and cross polarization Zeeman slower. With the atomic flux of 2.3 × 109atom/s, we aim to demonstrate inertial quantum sensing using clock transition of bosonic strontium-88 atoms.
DOI
10.1109/cleo-pr62338.2022.10431980

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Atom interferometry is a formidable tool to explore both fundamental and applied physics. While earlier research mainly concentrated on alkali atoms, there has been a rising interest in leveraging the clock transition of alkaline-earth-like atoms, specifically strontium. Consequently, a few atom interferometers utilizing strontium have been established worldwide in the last years.The primary focus of this work is twofold: firstly, to develop a compact and high-flux source of cold 88Sr atoms utilizing a novel Zeeman slower, a technique that efficiently decelerates the atomic thermal beam produced by an oven using lasers and magnetic fields. Secondly, the study explores the foundational aspects of an atom interferometer based on 88Sr.
Abstract We present a novel cold strontium atom source designed for quantum sensors. We optimized the deceleration process to capture a large velocity class of atoms emitted from an oven and achieved a compact and low-power setup capable of generating a high atomic flux. Our approach involves velocity-dependent transverse capture of atoms using a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap. To enhance the atomic flux, we employ tailored magnetic fields that minimize radial beam expansion and incorporate a cascaded Zeeman-slowing configuration utilizing two optical frequencies. The performance is comparable to that of conventional Zeeman slower sources, and the scheme is applicable to other atomic species. Our results represent a significant advancement towards the deployment of portable and, possibly, space-based cold atom sensors.
The utilization of light-pulse atom interferometry presents a valuable technique that has found application in both fundamental scientific inquiries, such as investigating constants such as measurements of fine structure constant α and gravitational constant G, and practical endeavors including acceleration sensing and rotation measurements. This thesis delves into our implementation of a dual atom interferometer design involving the clock transition 1S0 → 3P0 in strontium, concurrently conducting the interferometric sequence on atoms in both ground and excited states. To facilitate the dual atom interferometer’s operation, we have firstly established a compact experimental setup with a transversely loaded bi-dimensional magneto-optical-trap (2D-MOT) to create a high flux source of cold strontium atoms. Introducing a novel cross-polarized bi-color atomic beam slower, we simultaneously addresses two excited Zeeman substates of the transition 1S0 → 1P1 in strontium-88, significantly enhancing the number of atoms prepared in the 461 nm MOT by around 10-fold. Following the 461 nm MOT, the atomic ensemble undergoes cooling in a 689 nm MOT, achieving atomic temperatures below 1 µK. We also install a network of eight magnetic field probes arranged around the cold atomic sample, enabling precise three-axis active control of magnetic fields down to the milligauss level. With the atoms confined in a 2D lattice at the magic-wavelength of 813.427 nm after the initial preparation phase, we conduct the magnetically-induced clock transition to create a statistical mixture state of ground and excited states. After a velocity selection stage, implementing a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with Bragg pulses operating at the magic-wavelength along the vertical axis, we conduct tests of the weak equivalence principle (WEP). The Eötvös ratio we found in our system stood at (1.8 ± 3.1) × 10−4, mainly limited by the finite temperature of the atomic cloud constraining the interrogation time. Furthermore, the dual atom interferometer scheme enables the measurement of state-dependent force and eventually polarizability difference via the phase shift between the atoms in different states, and we experimentally demonstrate this by introducing an additional light field gradient.
We report on design and construction of a Zeeman slower for strontium atoms which will be used in an optical atomic clock experiment. The paper describes briefly required specifications of the device, possible solutions, and concentrates on the chosen design. The magnetic field produced by the built Zeeman slower has been measured and compared with the simulations. The system consisting of an oven and Zeeman slower are designed to produce an atomic beam of 10-12 s-1 flux and final velocity of ~30 m/s.