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Review of Scientific Instruments

Compatible multilayer magnetic field system for quantum sensing with atoms

X.W. Zhang, Qi Qin, Xiayang Fan, Bowen Yang, Xin Wang, Wenli Wang, Yuan Sun, Liang Liu

Published Jun 1, 2024• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Magnetic fields provide a valuable method to manipulate atomic energy levels and interactions in quantum precision measurements, but achieving precise measurements requires collaboration between the magnetic field system and the optical detection system. We propose a magnetic field system that incorporates a fast-switching magnetic field and an alternating magnetic field. Specifically, we enhance the switching speed by making structural improvements during the switching operation. An independent control approach is employed to reduce the switching time caused by electromagnetic induction across the coil using multilayer coils. The results demonstrate an inverse correlation between the rise and fall times of the magnetic field switch and the number of independently stacked coil layers, indicating the possibility of achieving further improvements in switching speed through structural enhancements. The system developed here has considerable potential for application to diverse quantum systems.

DOI
10.1063/5.0188706

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•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations
Magnetic fields provide a valuable method to manipulate atomic energy levels and interactions in quantum precision measurements, but achieving precise measurements requires collaboration between the magnetic field system and the optical detection system. We propose a magnetic field system that incorporates a fast-switching magnetic field and an alternating magnetic field. Specifically, we enhance the switching speed by making structural improvements during the switching operation. An independent control approach is employed to reduce the switching time caused by electromagnetic induction across the coil using multilayer coils. The results demonstrate an inverse correlation between the rise and fall times of the magnetic field switch and the number of independently stacked coil layers, indicating the possibility of achieving further improvements in switching speed through structural enhancements. The system developed here has considerable potential for application to diverse quantum systems.
Abstract The present study addresses light propagation in both the positive- and negative-group-index regimes in a degenerate atomic system with four energy levels. Both the static magnetic field and the Doppler shifts play essential roles. Operating in an electromagnetically induced transparency configuration, we demonstrate that probe absorption characteristics and the group velocity index can be manipulated by combined control of the static magnetic field and two coupling laser fields. By selectively engaging one or both coupling fields, the magnetic field serves as a switching mechanism, toggling the atomic medium's optical behavior between transparent and absorptive states. Consequently, both the magnitude and sign of the group index can be adjusted, transitioning from positive to negative values or the reverse, based on whether the magnetic field is applied or removed. Additionally, temperature significantly influences both the optical properties and group index characteristics of the atomic medium. Given that our proposed system operates at room temperature, it is well-suited to practical experimental conditions and offers potential for deployment in optical storage technologies and quantum information processing applications.
Cold atoms form the backbone of many quantum technology applications, including quantum computation, sensing, and networking. These experiments require a robust cold atom source, precise control of beam parameters, and large optical access. We demonstrate a compact cesium magneto-optical trap (MOT) directly loaded from background vapor, with a footprint of 34 × 56 cm2. The quadrupole and compensation coils are mounted on additively manufactured components, eliminating the need for water cooling and minimizing eddy currents, which enables fast magnetic field switching with a measured settling time of 240 μs. Finite element analysis confirms the mechanical robustness and thermal stability of the coil mounts. The MOT achieves 5 × 106 atoms at a density of 109 cm-3, with a temperature of 76 ± 2 μK, demonstrating a reliable and compact platform suitable for quantum technology experiments.
We theoretically investigate the optical response of a degenerate four-level Λ\LambdaΛ-type atomic system under the influence of an external magnetic field. The applied magnetic field lifts the degeneracy of the ground sublevels via the Zeeman effect, thereby altering the two-photon resonance conditions for electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) formation and causing the atomic response to evolve from single-EIT to double-EIT, accompanied by shifts in the EIT positions. Such variations in the EIT positions result in corresponding changes in the dispersion and group index curves, allowing the selection of desired frequency regions for different response regimes. As a result, the system can switch between transparency and absorption, as well as between slow and fast light. These findings highlight the feasibility of controlling light propagation via magnetic field, with potential applications in optical switching and quantum information technologies.
ABSTRACT Quantum sensors are devices that utilize quantum systems' properties to achieve high‐precision measurements of physical quantities, such as magnetic fields and temperature. The metrological precision of quantum sensors refers to their ability to provide accurate and reliable measurements with minimal uncertainty. In this paper, we propose a quantum sensor consisting of multiple atoms arranged in a spin chain, exposed to a thermal bath at a temperature and an external weak magnetic field with a magnetic‐field gradient for quantum thermometry and magnetometry. Employing the Hilbert‐Schmidt speed (HSS), a popular measure of quantum statistical speed to quantify precision limits in parameter estimation theory, we have investigated in detail how the magnetic‐field gradient and spin chain position influence the quantum sensor's metrological capabilities. We show that the performance and precision of our quantum sensor depend on the spin chain position and the magnetic field and its gradient; increasing these factors' values reduces estimation precision and weakens quantum sensor performance. Finally, increasing the number of atoms in a quantum sensing structure improves the accuracy of temperature and field estimation.
Cold atom experiments utilize magnetic fields, commonly generated by coils, as an essential tool to control and manipulate atomic samples. In these experiments, it is often necessary to rapidly switch the magnetic field between two values. However, typical power supplies have a limited switching time for the current flowing through the coil. We present a control scheme implemented as an electronic circuit that overcomes this limitation. A faster control is achieved by momentarily applying an on-demand high voltage when the control signal variation surpasses the limits that the conventional power supply can follow, allowing a faster current flow into the magnetic coil. In our specific application, a coil with an inductance of 491 μH and a resistance of 0.26 Ω, corresponding to a time constant of ∼1.9 ms, is driven so that its current faithfully follows the control signals from -1 to 1 A. It is capable of completing a full-scale transition in just ∼31 μs, with an effective bandwidth of 15.2 kHz. This corresponds to an improvement by a factor of more than 20 in both bandwidth and switching speed over a conventional power supply. By appropriately selecting the components of the circuit, both the bandwidth and switching time can be tuned to match specific needs within a wide range of inductive and power requirements.
Two circuits were designed, built, and tested for the purpose of aiding in the transfer of 87Rb atoms from a MOT to dipole traps and for characterizing the final dipole traps. The first circuit was a current switch designed to quickly turn the magnetic fields of the MOT off. The magnetic coil switch was able to reduce the magnetic field intensity to 5 % of its initial value after 81 μs. The second circuit was an analog signal switch designed to turn the modulation signal of an AOM off. The analog switch was able to reduce the modulation signal intensity to 8.5 % of its initial magnitude in ~25μs. The performances of the two circuits discussed in this paper are sufficient for future atom transfer research based on predicted experimental requirements.