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Atomic and Molecular Physics|90 Article(s)
Optimization of temperature characteristics of a transportable 87Rb atomic fountain clock
Xinwen Wang, Kangkang Liu, Henan Cheng, Wei Ren, Jingfeng Xiang, Jingwei Ji, Xiangkai Peng, Zhen Zhang, Jianbo Zhao, Meifeng Ye, Lin Li, Tang Li, Bin Wang, Qiuzhi Qu, Liang Liu, and Desheng Lü
A high-performance transportable fountain clock is attractive for use in laboratories with high-precision time-frequency measurement requirements. This Letter reports the improvement of the stability of a transportable rubidium-87 fountain clock because of an optimization of temperature characteristics. This clock integrates its physical packaging, optical benches, microwave frequency synthesizers, and electronic controls onto an easily movable wheeled plate. Two optical benches with a high-vibration resistance are realized in this work. No additional adjustment is required after moving them several times. The Allan deviation of the fountain clock frequency was measured by comparing it with that of the hydrogen maser. The fountain clock got a short-term stability of 2.3×10 13 at 1 s and long-term stability on the order of 10 16 at 100,000 s. A high-performance transportable fountain clock is attractive for use in laboratories with high-precision time-frequency measurement requirements. This Letter reports the improvement of the stability of a transportable rubidium-87 fountain clock because of an optimization of temperature characteristics. This clock integrates its physical packaging, optical benches, microwave frequency synthesizers, and electronic controls onto an easily movable wheeled plate. Two optical benches with a high-vibration resistance are realized in this work. No additional adjustment is required after moving them several times. The Allan deviation of the fountain clock frequency was measured by comparing it with that of the hydrogen maser. The fountain clock got a short-term stability of 2.3×10 13 at 1 s and long-term stability on the order of 10 16 at 100,000 s.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Aug. 10, 2019
- Vol. 17, Issue 8, 080201 (2019)
Vibration compensation of an atom gravimeter
Aopeng Xu, Delong Kong, Zhijie Fu, Zhaoying Wang, and Qiang Lin
For most atom interferometers, the vibration isolation unit is applied to reduce vibration noise. In our experiment, instead of isolation, the vibration signals are monitored, and combining with the sensitive function, the compensation phase shift for the atom interferometer is obtained. We focus on the correction over a wide spectrum rather than on “monochromatic” frequencies. The sensitivity of the atom gravimeter can be upgraded by a factor of more than two. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the atom interferometer can still produce a good measurement result without passive vibration isolation in extremely noisy environments by using vibration compensation. For most atom interferometers, the vibration isolation unit is applied to reduce vibration noise. In our experiment, instead of isolation, the vibration signals are monitored, and combining with the sensitive function, the compensation phase shift for the atom interferometer is obtained. We focus on the correction over a wide spectrum rather than on “monochromatic” frequencies. The sensitivity of the atom gravimeter can be upgraded by a factor of more than two. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the atom interferometer can still produce a good measurement result without passive vibration isolation in extremely noisy environments by using vibration compensation.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Jul. 10, 2019
- Vol. 17, Issue 7, 070201 (2019)
Cesium atomic Doppler broadening thermometry for room temperature measurement
Yijie Pan, Wenhan Liao, He Wang, Yan Yao, Jinhui Cai, and Jifeng Qu
Atomic Doppler broadening thermometry (DBT) is potentially an accurate and practical approach for thermodynamic temperature measurement. However, previous reported atomic DBT had a long acquisition time and had only been proved at the triple point of water, 0°C, for the purpose of determination of the Boltzmann constant. This research implemented the cesium atomic DBT for fast room temperature measurement. The Cs133 D1 (6S1/2 → 6p1/2 transition) line was measured by direct laser absorption spectroscopy, and the quantity of thermal-induced linewidth broadening was precisely retrieved by the Voigt profile fitting algorithm. The preliminary results showed the proposed approach had a 4 min single-scan acquisition time and 0.2% reproducibility. It is expected that the atomic DBT could be used as an accurate, chip-scale, and calibration-free temperature sensor and standard. Atomic Doppler broadening thermometry (DBT) is potentially an accurate and practical approach for thermodynamic temperature measurement. However, previous reported atomic DBT had a long acquisition time and had only been proved at the triple point of water, 0°C, for the purpose of determination of the Boltzmann constant. This research implemented the cesium atomic DBT for fast room temperature measurement. The Cs133 D1 (6S1/2 → 6p1/2 transition) line was measured by direct laser absorption spectroscopy, and the quantity of thermal-induced linewidth broadening was precisely retrieved by the Voigt profile fitting algorithm. The preliminary results showed the proposed approach had a 4 min single-scan acquisition time and 0.2% reproducibility. It is expected that the atomic DBT could be used as an accurate, chip-scale, and calibration-free temperature sensor and standard.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Jun. 10, 2019
- Vol. 17, Issue 6, 060201 (2019)
Micro-fabrication process of vapor cells for chip-scale atomic clocks
Yanjun Zhang, Yunchao Li, Xuwen Hu, Lu Zhang, Zhaojun Liu, Kaifang Zhang, Shihao Mou, Shougang Zhang, and Shubin Yan
As the key part of chip-scale atomic clocks (CSACs), the vapor cell directly determines the volume, stability, and power consumption of the CSAC. The reduction of the power consumption and CSAC volumes demands the manufacture of corresponding vapor cells. This overview presents the research development of vapor cells of the past few years and analyzes the shortages of the current preparation technology. By comparing several different vapor cell preparation methods, we successfully realized the micro-fabrication of vapor cells using anodic bonding and deep silicon etching. This cell fabrication method is simple and effective in avoiding weak bonding strengths caused by alkali metal volatilization during anodic bonding under high temperatures. Finally, the vapor cell D2 line was characterized via optical-absorption resonance. According to the results, the proposed method is suitable for CSAC. As the key part of chip-scale atomic clocks (CSACs), the vapor cell directly determines the volume, stability, and power consumption of the CSAC. The reduction of the power consumption and CSAC volumes demands the manufacture of corresponding vapor cells. This overview presents the research development of vapor cells of the past few years and analyzes the shortages of the current preparation technology. By comparing several different vapor cell preparation methods, we successfully realized the micro-fabrication of vapor cells using anodic bonding and deep silicon etching. This cell fabrication method is simple and effective in avoiding weak bonding strengths caused by alkali metal volatilization during anodic bonding under high temperatures. Finally, the vapor cell D2 line was characterized via optical-absorption resonance. According to the results, the proposed method is suitable for CSAC.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Apr. 10, 2019
- Vol. 17, Issue 4, 040202 (2019)
Zeeman slowing atoms using the magnetic field from a magneto-optical trap|Editors' Pick
Wen Yan, Yuan Yao, Yuxin Sun, Hoyt W. Chad, Yanyi Jiang, and Longsheng Ma
We study a Zeeman slower using the magnetic field generated by a pair of coils for a magneto-optical trap. The efficiency of the Zeeman slower is shown to be dependent on the intensity and frequency detuning of the laser light for slowing the atoms. With the help of numerical analysis, optimal experimental parameters are explored. Experimentally, the optimal frequency detuning and intensity of the slowing beam are explored, and 4 × 107 ytterbium atoms are trapped in the magneto-optical trap. We study a Zeeman slower using the magnetic field generated by a pair of coils for a magneto-optical trap. The efficiency of the Zeeman slower is shown to be dependent on the intensity and frequency detuning of the laser light for slowing the atoms. With the help of numerical analysis, optimal experimental parameters are explored. Experimentally, the optimal frequency detuning and intensity of the slowing beam are explored, and 4 × 107 ytterbium atoms are trapped in the magneto-optical trap.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Apr. 10, 2019
- Vol. 17, Issue 4, 040201 (2019)
Micro-fabrication and hermeticity measurement of alkali-atom vapor cells based on anodic bonding
Lu Zhang, Wendong Zhang, Shougang Zhang, and Shubin Yan
A vapor cell provides a well-controlled and stable inner atmosphere for atomic sensors, such as atomic gyroscopes, atomic magnetometers, and atomic clocks, and its hermeticity affects the stability and aging of atomic sensors. We present the micro-fabrication of a micro-electromechanical system wafer-level hermit vapor cell based on deep reactive ion etching and vacuum anodic-bonding technology. The anodic-bonding process with the voltage increasing in steps of 200 V had a critical influence on vapor cell hermeticity. Further, the silicon–glass bonding surface was experimentally investigated by a scanning electron microscope, which illustrated that there were no visual cracks and defects in the bonding surface. The leak rate was measured using a helium leak detector. The result shows that the vapor cells with different optical cavity lengths comply with the MIL-STD-883E standard (5 × 10 8 mbar·L/s). Moreover, D2 absorption spectroscopy was characterized via optical absorption. The bonding strength was determined to be 13 MPa, which further verified the quality of the vapor cells. A vapor cell provides a well-controlled and stable inner atmosphere for atomic sensors, such as atomic gyroscopes, atomic magnetometers, and atomic clocks, and its hermeticity affects the stability and aging of atomic sensors. We present the micro-fabrication of a micro-electromechanical system wafer-level hermit vapor cell based on deep reactive ion etching and vacuum anodic-bonding technology. The anodic-bonding process with the voltage increasing in steps of 200 V had a critical influence on vapor cell hermeticity. Further, the silicon–glass bonding surface was experimentally investigated by a scanning electron microscope, which illustrated that there were no visual cracks and defects in the bonding surface. The leak rate was measured using a helium leak detector. The result shows that the vapor cells with different optical cavity lengths comply with the MIL-STD-883E standard (5 × 10 8 mbar·L/s). Moreover, D2 absorption spectroscopy was characterized via optical absorption. The bonding strength was determined to be 13 MPa, which further verified the quality of the vapor cells.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Oct. 10, 2019
- Vol. 17, Issue 10, 100201 (2019)
Determination of hyperfine structure constants of
Shaohua Li, Yihong Li, Jinpeng Yuan, Lirong Wang, Liantuan Xiao, and Suotang Jia
We present a method to precisely determine the hyperfine structure constants of the rubidium 5D5/2 and 7S1/2 states in a cascade atomic system. The probe laser is coupled to the 5S1/2→5P3/2 hyperfine transition, while the coupling laser is scanned over the 5P3/2→5D5/2(7S1/2) transition. The high-resolution double-resonance optical pumping spectra are obtained with two counter-propagating laser beams acting on rubidium vapor. The hyperfine splitting structures are accurately measured by an optical frequency ruler based on the acousto-optic modulator, thus, the magnetic dipole hyperfine coupling constant A and quadrupole coupling constant B are determined. It is of great significance for the atomic hyperfine structure and fundamental physics research. We present a method to precisely determine the hyperfine structure constants of the rubidium 5D5/2 and 7S1/2 states in a cascade atomic system. The probe laser is coupled to the 5S1/2→5P3/2 hyperfine transition, while the coupling laser is scanned over the 5P3/2→5D5/2(7S1/2) transition. The high-resolution double-resonance optical pumping spectra are obtained with two counter-propagating laser beams acting on rubidium vapor. The hyperfine splitting structures are accurately measured by an optical frequency ruler based on the acousto-optic modulator, thus, the magnetic dipole hyperfine coupling constant A and quadrupole coupling constant B are determined. It is of great significance for the atomic hyperfine structure and fundamental physics research.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Jun. 10, 2018
- Vol. 16, Issue 6, 060203 (2018)
Observation of the 1S0–3P0 optical clock transition in cold 199Hg atoms
Xiaohu Fu, Su Fang, Ruchen Zhao, Ye Zhang, Junchao Huang, Jianfang Sun, Zhen Xu, and Yuzhu Wang
We report on the observation of the highly forbidden S10–P30 optical clock transition in laser-cooled Hg199 atoms. More than 95% depletion of cold Hg199 atoms is detected in the magneto-optical trap. Using the free-of-field detection method, the AC Stark shift from the cooling laser is removed from the in-field spectroscopy. At low-power clock laser pumping, the linewidth of the clock spectroscopy is approximately 450 kHz (full width at half-maximum), which corresponds to a Doppler broadening at the atom temperature of 60 μK. We determine the S10–P30 transition frequency to be 1,128,575,290.819(14) MHz by referencing with a hydrogen maser and measuring with a fiber optical frequency comb. Moreover, a weak Doppler-free signal is observed. We report on the observation of the highly forbidden S10–P30 optical clock transition in laser-cooled Hg199 atoms. More than 95% depletion of cold Hg199 atoms is detected in the magneto-optical trap. Using the free-of-field detection method, the AC Stark shift from the cooling laser is removed from the in-field spectroscopy. At low-power clock laser pumping, the linewidth of the clock spectroscopy is approximately 450 kHz (full width at half-maximum), which corresponds to a Doppler broadening at the atom temperature of 60 μK. We determine the S10–P30 transition frequency to be 1,128,575,290.819(14) MHz by referencing with a hydrogen maser and measuring with a fiber optical frequency comb. Moreover, a weak Doppler-free signal is observed.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Jun. 10, 2018
- Vol. 16, Issue 6, 060202 (2018)
Photoassociation reaction of OH molecules through reverse ladder transition
Yingyu Niu, and Rong Wang
Photoassociation via reverse ladder transition controlled by two and four laser pulses is investigated using the time-dependent quantum wave packet method. The calculated results show that the amplitudes of the pulses have an enormous effect on the target population and total yield of association. For the target state with a high energy level, the population of background states can reduce the state-selectivity. Although, the total yield of association is decreased, the four pulses can induce the population transferring to low vibrational levels, and the state-selectivity of the target state is high. Photoassociation via reverse ladder transition controlled by two and four laser pulses is investigated using the time-dependent quantum wave packet method. The calculated results show that the amplitudes of the pulses have an enormous effect on the target population and total yield of association. For the target state with a high energy level, the population of background states can reduce the state-selectivity. Although, the total yield of association is decreased, the four pulses can induce the population transferring to low vibrational levels, and the state-selectivity of the target state is high.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: Jun. 10, 2018
- Vol. 16, Issue 6, 060201 (2018)
Widely tunable laser frequency offset locking to the atomic resonance line with frequency modulation spectroscopy
Anqi Wang, Zhixin Meng, and Yanying Feng
A simple and robust technique is reported to offset lock a single semiconductor laser to the atom resonance line with a frequency difference easily adjustable from a few tens of megahertz up to tens of gigahertz. The proposed scheme makes use of the frequency modulation spectroscopy by modulating sidebands of a fiber electro-optic modulator output. The short-term performances of a frequency offset locked semiconductor laser are experimentally demonstrated with the Allan variance of around 3.9×10 11 at a 2 s integration time. This method may have many applications, such as in Raman optics for an atom interferometer. A simple and robust technique is reported to offset lock a single semiconductor laser to the atom resonance line with a frequency difference easily adjustable from a few tens of megahertz up to tens of gigahertz. The proposed scheme makes use of the frequency modulation spectroscopy by modulating sidebands of a fiber electro-optic modulator output. The short-term performances of a frequency offset locked semiconductor laser are experimentally demonstrated with the Allan variance of around 3.9×10 11 at a 2 s integration time. This method may have many applications, such as in Raman optics for an atom interferometer.
Chinese Optics Letters
- Publication Date: May. 10, 2018
- Vol. 16, Issue 5, 050201 (2018)
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