Narrow-linewidth laser cooling for rapid production of low-temperature atoms for high data-rate quantum sensing
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
We present a proof-of-concept demonstration of a narrow linewidth $$^{87}$$Rb magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the narrow linewidth $$5S_{1/2}$$ → $$6P_{3/2}$$ transition at 420 nm. We stabilized the absolute frequency of the 420 nm laser to an atomic transition in $$^{87}$$Rb and demonstrate a MOT using 420 nm light driving the $$5S_{1/2}$$, $F = 2$ → $$6P_{3/2}, F' = 3$$ transition. We then use tome-of-flight measurements to characterize the 420 nm MOT temperature, observing a minimum temperature of about $$T^{(420)}_{horizontal}$$ = 150μK and $$T^{(420)}_{vertical}$$ = 250μK before the opportunity to perform significant characterization and optimization. Although this temperature is significantly higher then the expected 420 nm Doppler cooling limit ($$T_D^{(420)}$$ ≈ 34 μK), these are already approaching the Doppler limit of a standard 780 nm MOT ($$T_D^{(780)}$$ ≈ 146 μK). We believe that with further optimization the Doppler cooling limit of ≈ 34 μK can be achieved. This initial result answers our key research question and demonstrates the viability of applying narrow linewidth laser cooling as a robust technique for future fieldable quantum sensors.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
- DOE Contract Number:
- NA0003525
- OSTI ID:
- 1898260
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2022-15828R; 711913
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Dark-line atomic resonances in a submicron-thin Rb vapor layer
Ultra-narrow-linewidth hybrid-integrated self-injection locked laser at 780 nm