A multi-channel tunable source for atomic sensors

Matthew S. Bigelow; Tony D. Roberts; Shirley A. McNeil; Todd Hawthorne; Phil Battle

doi:10.1117/12.2187148

1 September 2015 A multi-channel tunable source for atomic sensors

Matthew S. Bigelow, Tony D. Roberts, Shirley A. McNeil, Todd Hawthorne, Phil Battle

Proceedings Volume 9616, Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments IX; 96160K (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2187148
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We have designed and completed initial testing on a laser source suitable for atomic interferometry from compact, robust, integrated components. Our design is enabled by capitalizing on robust, well-commercialized, low-noise telecom components with high reliability and declining costs which will help to drive the widespread deployment of this system. The key innovation is the combination of current telecom-based fiber laser and modulator technology with periodicallypoled waveguide technology to produce tunable laser light at rubidium D1 and D2 wavelengths (and expandable to other alkalis) using second harmonic generation (SHG). Unlike direct-diode sources, this source is immune to feedback at the Rb line eliminating the need for bulky high-power isolators in the system. In addition, the source has GHz-level frequency agility and in our experiments was found to only be limited by the agility of our RF generator. As a proof-of principle, the source was scanned through the Doppler-broadened Rb D2 absorption line. With this technology, multiple channels can be independently tuned to produce the fields needed for addressing atomic states in atom interferometers and clocks. Thus, this technology could be useful in the development cold-atom inertial sensors and gyroscopes.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew S. Bigelow, Tony D. Roberts, Shirley A. McNeil, Todd Hawthorne, and Phil Battle "A multi-channel tunable source for atomic sensors", Proc. SPIE 9616, Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments IX, 96160K (1 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2187148

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