QuDOS: Quantum technologies using Diffractive Optical Structures
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The project will develop a compact and simplified apparatus for the preparation of cold atomic samples. Conventionally, a
multiple beam geometry is required to laser cool and trap atoms and, with this, comes a corresponding overhead of optical
components within a mechanical framework. Here, we propose to use a novel approach in which all the beams required for
cooling and trapping are generated by a single beam reflected from a grating chip. The technique has wide relevance to
quantum technologies as it forms the primary stage for all atomic sensing devices including gravimeters, inertial sensors
and clocks. The project brings the academic excellence of the University of Strathclyde together with the industrial knowhow
of M Squared Lasers to exploit this world-leading innovation from the UK's research base. We will take it closer to
commercialisation by commissioning a chip trap within an industrial environment, enhancing the technique and
demonstrating measurement capability.
multiple beam geometry is required to laser cool and trap atoms and, with this, comes a corresponding overhead of optical
components within a mechanical framework. Here, we propose to use a novel approach in which all the beams required for
cooling and trapping are generated by a single beam reflected from a grating chip. The technique has wide relevance to
quantum technologies as it forms the primary stage for all atomic sensing devices including gravimeters, inertial sensors
and clocks. The project brings the academic excellence of the University of Strathclyde together with the industrial knowhow
of M Squared Lasers to exploit this world-leading innovation from the UK's research base. We will take it closer to
commercialisation by commissioning a chip trap within an industrial environment, enhancing the technique and
demonstrating measurement capability.
Organisations
Publications
Offer RF
(2016)
Cavity-enhanced frequency up-conversion in rubidium vapor.
in Optics letters
McGilligan James P.
(2016)
Diffraction grating characterisation for cold-atom experiments
in arXiv e-prints
| Description | The operating wavelength range of the diffraction gratings we use for simplifying cold atom experiments has been shown to be very broad. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings - broadband functionality of the diffraction gratings - mean the same gratings can be easily utilized with different atomic species. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
| Description | Grating magneto-optical traps were first realised in experiments at the University of Strathclyde, and now at other universities around the world. In this project we made the first demonstration of a grating magneto-optical trap in a non-academic setting (at our partner M2 lasers). The grating approach has a much smaller optical footprint than conventional systems and is likely to lead to compact commercial systems for use in metrology, e.g. portable atomic clocks. We have recently demonstrated a compact atomic clock using a grating, and the gratings are now available for purchase from the manufacturer Kelvin Nanotechnology: https://www.kntnano.com/quantum/gmotgrating/ |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Quantum technologies |
| Amount | £93,055 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/R002371/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Title | Diffraction grating characterisation for cold-atom experiments |
| Description | The premise of the associated paper focusses around the characterisation of micro-fabricated diffraction gratings with an aim towards implementation as a compact source for cold atoms. This characterisation entails an in-depth study of the effect of periodicity, duty cycle and coatings as a function of the diffraction efficiency. Furthermore, the paper offers a brief description of experimental critical parameters of implementation such as the tilt angle and incident wavelength. The Dataset comprises 5 Excel files, with the data used to create figures 3,4,5 and 6. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | n/a |