OPTAMOT: Optimised Designs for Additively Manufactured Magneto Optical Traps
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Physics & Astronomy
Abstract
The research team will undertake an iterative design activity, combining our Magneto Optical Trap (MOT) design and optimization experience with that of the Quantum Technology (QT) group at the University of Sussex and with the Design for Additive Manufacture (DfAM) capabilities at Added Scientific Ltd (ASL), a leading organisation in Additive Manufacturing Research.
In support of the above the following specific research activities will be undertaken:
- Prof Moriarty and Dr Campion will undertake characterization studies of the AM material in Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) environments via mass spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy methods to establish surface and out-gassing characteristics of the AM material in UHV environments at both elevated and cryogenic temperatures.
- Dr Hackermuller and Prof Fromhold will, in parallel with University of Sussex researchers, provide support across a number of iterative design, manufacture and test cycles producing ever more complex MOT assemblies that demonstrate integration of MOT magnetic field functions and other enabling functions including diffraction gratings, optical access
windows, cooling channels and weight reduction voids. Tasks will include Inverse method modelling and optimization with electromagnetics, optical element integration and test of prototypes.
- Mr Sims will contribute to the Systems Engineering and Market Studies activity of the project, working in partnership with ASL engineering and marketing staff.
In support of the above the following specific research activities will be undertaken:
- Prof Moriarty and Dr Campion will undertake characterization studies of the AM material in Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) environments via mass spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy methods to establish surface and out-gassing characteristics of the AM material in UHV environments at both elevated and cryogenic temperatures.
- Dr Hackermuller and Prof Fromhold will, in parallel with University of Sussex researchers, provide support across a number of iterative design, manufacture and test cycles producing ever more complex MOT assemblies that demonstrate integration of MOT magnetic field functions and other enabling functions including diffraction gratings, optical access
windows, cooling channels and weight reduction voids. Tasks will include Inverse method modelling and optimization with electromagnetics, optical element integration and test of prototypes.
- Mr Sims will contribute to the Systems Engineering and Market Studies activity of the project, working in partnership with ASL engineering and marketing staff.
Planned Impact
The project will provide an academic impact in fundamental cold atom research via research undertaken in optimising MOT technical characteristics. This will identify the use of new combinations of magnetic field strengths, laser characteristics and cold atom cloud shapes to optimise MOT design for specific applications. This will add to the fundamental research base, with established routes of scientific interaction being employed to disseminate results.
The project will also deliver significant impact on applied cold atom research nationally and internationally. The production of integrated MOT assemblies via AM will represent a step change in the maturity of the cold atoms research supply chain, with 'off the shelf' MOT designs removing the need for the bespoke MOT builds that typify current cold atom applied
research. Making available a key cold atom functionality that can simply be acquired and installed will significantly reduce the resources required to support applied research, enabling a significant increase in the level of cold atom activity being undertaken, whilst particularly facilitating the translation of cold atom technology into the commercial environment, as required to achieve the aspirations of the UK National QT Programme. Established connections to industry within the School of Physics and Astronomy and ASL will be leveraged, supporting the next step of Knowledge Transfer to industry. An example of such a connection that will be pursued by the project is based around the strategic partnership with e2v, a major UK electronics company, who have set up a unique semiconductor device fabrication and R&D facility within the School of Physics and Astronomy. e2v have, over the past three years, developed strong capability in cold atom quantum technology, including new dedicated laboratories and staff at their Chelmsford headquarters. e2v will be engaged as a key end user, building on their existing collaboration with Nottingham on MOT components. e2v's growing interest in cold atom technologies, and associated collaborations, provides a ready-made route for commercialising the MOT innovations that emerge from the project.
The team will seek, in collaboration with our partners, to engage widely with industry stakeholders and disseminate appropriate information about project progress to developers in the commercial sector, as well as using the team's existing cold atom senor development collaborations. The team is working closely with our partners in the UK hub for Quantum
Sensors and metrology on several projects, including for example the development of back-pack-sized cold-atom gravity sensors that could be revolutionised by the incorporation of new MOT functionalities. Similarly we have several efforts underway to better support the development of components for quantum sensors. This will provide an excellent means by
which to promote the potential of the AM MOT capabilities across UK cold-atom community, and to meet and work with
developers and end-users.
The project will also use the Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) to broaden impact. In particular, we will use KTN interactive web portals to target potential beneficiaries. This will be complemented by presentations to key KTN personnel, using their expertise as a route to a wide range of connections. With growing commercial interest, the project will make use
of more direct tools of involvement, such as industry events.
The project will also deliver significant impact on applied cold atom research nationally and internationally. The production of integrated MOT assemblies via AM will represent a step change in the maturity of the cold atoms research supply chain, with 'off the shelf' MOT designs removing the need for the bespoke MOT builds that typify current cold atom applied
research. Making available a key cold atom functionality that can simply be acquired and installed will significantly reduce the resources required to support applied research, enabling a significant increase in the level of cold atom activity being undertaken, whilst particularly facilitating the translation of cold atom technology into the commercial environment, as required to achieve the aspirations of the UK National QT Programme. Established connections to industry within the School of Physics and Astronomy and ASL will be leveraged, supporting the next step of Knowledge Transfer to industry. An example of such a connection that will be pursued by the project is based around the strategic partnership with e2v, a major UK electronics company, who have set up a unique semiconductor device fabrication and R&D facility within the School of Physics and Astronomy. e2v have, over the past three years, developed strong capability in cold atom quantum technology, including new dedicated laboratories and staff at their Chelmsford headquarters. e2v will be engaged as a key end user, building on their existing collaboration with Nottingham on MOT components. e2v's growing interest in cold atom technologies, and associated collaborations, provides a ready-made route for commercialising the MOT innovations that emerge from the project.
The team will seek, in collaboration with our partners, to engage widely with industry stakeholders and disseminate appropriate information about project progress to developers in the commercial sector, as well as using the team's existing cold atom senor development collaborations. The team is working closely with our partners in the UK hub for Quantum
Sensors and metrology on several projects, including for example the development of back-pack-sized cold-atom gravity sensors that could be revolutionised by the incorporation of new MOT functionalities. Similarly we have several efforts underway to better support the development of components for quantum sensors. This will provide an excellent means by
which to promote the potential of the AM MOT capabilities across UK cold-atom community, and to meet and work with
developers and end-users.
The project will also use the Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) to broaden impact. In particular, we will use KTN interactive web portals to target potential beneficiaries. This will be complemented by presentations to key KTN personnel, using their expertise as a route to a wide range of connections. With growing commercial interest, the project will make use
of more direct tools of involvement, such as industry events.
Organisations
- University of Nottingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- Added Scientific Ltd (Collaboration)
- Humboldt University of Berlin (Collaboration)
- TU Wien (Collaboration)
- Royal Holloway, University of London (Collaboration)
- Brno University of Technology (Collaboration)
- Gooch & Housego (Collaboration)
Publications
Cooper N
(2023)
Dual-frequency Doppler-free spectroscopy for simultaneous laser stabilization in compact atomic physics experiments
in Physical Review A
Cooper N
(2019)
Prospects for strongly coupled atom-photon quantum nodes.
in Scientific reports
Cooper N
(2021)
Additively manufactured ultra-high vacuum chamber for portable quantum technologies
in Additive Manufacturing
Cooper, N.
(2023)
Dual-frequency spectroscopy for compact systems and enhanced laser stabilisation
in www.arxiv.org
Da Ros E
(2020)
Cold atoms in micromachined waveguides: A new platform for atom-photon interactions
in Physical Review Research
Kate Clements
(2024)
Detecting Dark Domain Walls
in www.arxiv.org
Madkhaly S
(2021)
Performance-Optimized Components for Quantum Technologies via Additive Manufacturing
in PRX Quantum
Madkhaly SH
(2022)
High-performance, additively-manufactured atomic spectroscopy apparatus for portable quantum technologies.
in Optics express
Madkhaly, S.
(2022)
High-performance, additively-manufactured atomic spectroscopy apparatus for portable quantum technologies
in www.arxiv.org
Naniyil V
(2022)
Observation of collectivity enhanced magnetoassociation of 6 Li in the quantum degenerate regime
in New Journal of Physics
Naniyil, V. N.
(2021)
Enhanced magnetoassociation of 6Li in the quantum degenerate regime
in www.arxiv.org
Nathan Cooper, N.C.
(2019)
Additively manufactured ultra-high vacuum chamber below 10-10 mbar
in www.arxiv.org
Richard Howl
(2024)
Gravitationally-induced entanglement in cold atoms
in www.arxiv.org
S. H. Madkhaly
(2021)
Performance-optimized components for quantum technologies via additive manufacturing
in arXiv:2102.11874
Somya Madkhaly
(2020)
A compact spectroscopy and lock system for cold atom experiments
in www.arxiv.org
Description | Result 1: proven concept of 3D printed vacuum chamber with a weight of < 1/3 of a conventional stainless steel chamber. This has the potential to revolutionise vacuum industry. We with this we have proven existing expectations in the vacuum industry wrong - now have data to prove that AM materials and processes are suitable for manufacturing UHV chambers. (paper under review) Result 2: we have developed laser systems based on 3D printed frames and materials with extremely high robustness and stability (patent, paper in preparation). Result 3: developed 3D printed coils. (patent, paper in preparation) Result 4: developed compact, low-SWAP (size, weight and power) Mot setup (paper in preparation) Collaborations: a) New collaboration established with the centre for additive manufacturing as well as ASL (Additive Scientific Ltd). New contact points with other companies established b) New collaboration with Gooch & Housego and the Engineering Faculty at the University of Nottingham • Market study and contacts made have yielded many ideas for follow on projects - challenge is now to engage end users and shape future projects Result 5: Several follow-on projects submitted (Innovate UK, EU-funding) - so far were not successful, will reshape and reapply |
Exploitation Route | Our results have the potential to revolutionise vacuum industry in particular where light-weight applications and tailored designs are important. This is important e.g. for fundamental research experiments to be conducted in space and for a variety of quantum sensors expected to provide highly precise data. Our results might also influence more traditional systems such as x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, photo-sensors, cameras and cryostats. Our results on compact Mot and laser systems will provide low SWAP (size, weight and power) atom based quantum sensors. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Healthcare Security and Diplomacy |
Description | We have demonstrated for the first time the creation of 3D printed UHV vacuum chambers, 3D-pirnted optics and a 3D-printed magneto-optical trap. This enables ultra-compact, light-weight and optimised systems. Our research has led to two patents. We are currently licensing one to a company who brings an ultracompact spectroscopy setup to market. Our demonstrated methods have also been used to create 3D-printed frames for a 2D-MOT that is brought to market by another company. Our work is the foundation for portable and light-weight quantum technologies and is being used to build a compact gravimeter for space applications. With our work we have demonstrated the benefits of 3D-printing for quantum technologies and paved the way for the use of 3D-printed QTs. Our results create a lot of interest from industry, are being exploited in various areas and inspires future research. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
Description | Experimental Signatures of Quantum Gravity using Ultracold Atoms |
Amount | $233,000 (USD) |
Organisation | The John Templeton Foundation |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United States |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 04/2025 |
Description | QTEAM: Quantum Technologies Enabled by Additive Manufacturing |
Amount | £369,575 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2022 |
End | 08/2024 |
Description | UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing and Timing |
Amount | £27,537,628 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T001046/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2019 |
End | 11/2024 |
Title | 3D printed methods and lasers for Quantum Technologies |
Description | 3D printed designs were used to develop extremely compact and stable arrangements of optics. The optimal arrangement (only achievable with 3D printing) leads to short pathways and very compact optical setups. This modular approach can be applied to any optical setup and lead to compact and stable solutions. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Plug and play lasers and laser systems or optical systems. We have as an example demonstrated a laser frequency stabilisation based on Doppler-free spectroscopy. This is an important research tool used in many quantum tecnology applications. |
Description | IN-PHASE |
Organisation | Brno University of Technology |
Country | Czech Republic |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of waveguide and fibre based sensors |
Collaborator Contribution | Quantum Technology systems based on fibres (TU WIen) Surface interactions (UBER) printed waveguides (Sarcura) waveguide-quantum dot coupling (Brno) biological waveguide sensors (Wiener Neustadt) |
Impact | DN grant application |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IN-PHASE |
Organisation | Fachhochschule Wiener Neustadt |
Country | Austria |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of waveguide and fibre based sensors |
Collaborator Contribution | Quantum Technology systems based on fibres (TU WIen) Surface interactions (UBER) printed waveguides (Sarcura) waveguide-quantum dot coupling (Brno) biological waveguide sensors (Wiener Neustadt) |
Impact | DN grant application |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IN-PHASE |
Organisation | Humboldt University of Berlin |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of waveguide and fibre based sensors |
Collaborator Contribution | Quantum Technology systems based on fibres (TU WIen) Surface interactions (UBER) printed waveguides (Sarcura) waveguide-quantum dot coupling (Brno) biological waveguide sensors (Wiener Neustadt) |
Impact | DN grant application |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | IN-PHASE |
Organisation | Vienna University of Technology |
Country | Austria |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of waveguide and fibre based sensors |
Collaborator Contribution | Quantum Technology systems based on fibres (TU WIen) Surface interactions (UBER) printed waveguides (Sarcura) waveguide-quantum dot coupling (Brno) biological waveguide sensors (Wiener Neustadt) |
Impact | DN grant application |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | JTF-gravity |
Organisation | Royal Holloway, University of London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration, further grant application, knowledge exchange. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration, further grant application, knowledge exchange. |
Impact | Collaboration, further grant application, knowledge exchange. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | JTF-gravity |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration, further grant application, knowledge exchange. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration, further grant application, knowledge exchange. |
Impact | Collaboration, further grant application, knowledge exchange. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Op-Ap Collaboration |
Organisation | Gooch & Housego |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Application for EU Eureka project: Op-Ap. Optics for additive Printing, Additive Printing for oPtics |
Collaborator Contribution | Application for EU Eureka project: Op-Ap. Optics for additive Printing, Additive Printing for oPtics |
Impact | Funding Application - see above. Application was not succesful - might reshape. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Op-Ap Collaboration |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Department | Faculty of Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Application for EU Eureka project: Op-Ap. Optics for additive Printing, Additive Printing for oPtics |
Collaborator Contribution | Application for EU Eureka project: Op-Ap. Optics for additive Printing, Additive Printing for oPtics |
Impact | Funding Application - see above. Application was not succesful - might reshape. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Optamot Collaboration |
Organisation | Added Scientific Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Collectively held IUK project. We developed 3D printed vacuum chambers and developed highly stable lasers and laser spectroscopy ensembles based on 3D printed frames. This project led to 2 publications and 2 patent applications. We are currently preparing a follow-on project for further applications and impact of the results found. |
Collaborator Contribution | ASL provided the 3D printing designs and know-how as well as regular meetings, connections to other collaboration partners. |
Impact | This project led to 2 publications and 2 patent applications. We are currently preparing a follow-on project for further applications and impact of the results found. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | QTeam consortium |
Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of compact 3D printed QT sensors and vacuum chambers. |
Collaborator Contribution | Design support (Metamorphic), Sensor and scientific support (RAL), Vacuum and testing support (Torr Scientific) |
Impact | multidisciplinary 1 research paper 1 grant application (ongoing) |
Start Year | 2022 |
Title | COMPACT LASER SPECTROSCOPY |
Description | A compact spectroscopy method for locking 3 different laser wavelength. The system is highly robust and stable, which is achieved through a sophisticated 3D printed frame. |
IP Reference | DJC97544P.GBA |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | We are still discussing with various companies, who have an interest in licensing the patent. |
Title | MAGNETIC OPTIMISATION |
Description | We developed an algorithm that can be used to design optimal magnetic fields based on permanent magnets. |
IP Reference | DJC95293P.GBA |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | We are in touch with interested companies re. licensing. We are developing this concept further and use it on specific applicactions (optmised MOT fields, shielding etc.) |
Description | Outreach article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This is a journal article that reaches a large audience > 500 people in the UK in research, technology and business will read this article. After reading it we were contacted by a number of people requesting more information. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://physicsworld.com/a/additive-manufacturing-makes-vacuum-systems-smaller-lighter-smarter/ |