Generate QR code
Open Access
Subscription Access
A source of slow atoms based on a conical magneto-optical trap
https://doi.org/10.32446/0368-1025it.2026-1-80-88
Abstract
Currently, the field of quantum frequency standards based on cold atoms is actively developing. Сold atoms underlie the creation of such quantum gravimetric sensors as atomic gravimeters, atomic gradiometers and atomic gyroscopes. One of the key elements of these sensors is the source of cold atoms, which must provide a sufficient flow of cooled atoms. This paper presents the development of a compact source of Rb87 atoms based on a conical magnetooptical trap, which significantly simplifies the optical scheme by replacing the multipath system with a single conical reflector. The developed compact source is used in fountain-type frequency standards. The scheme, principle of operation, design features and experimental characteristics of a source of slow atoms are given. The results of a study of the operating parameters of a source of slow atoms based on a conical magneto-optical trap and the characteristics of its output atomic beam are presented: the estimated number of trapped atoms in the conical region of the trap, the average atomic flow velocity, and the dependence of the characteristics of the output atomic beam on the operating parameters of the trap. These characteristics demonstrate the possibility of using a conical magneto-optical trap as a source of slow atoms in modern fountain-type frequency standards and other atomic sensors.
Keywords
time and frequency standards,
atomic fountain,
slow atoms,
magneto-optical trap,
source of slow atoms
Supporting agencies: The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.
About the Authors
E. S. Aleinikova
Russian Metrological Institute of Technical Physics and Radio Engineering
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Ekaterina S. Aleinikova, Junior Researcher, Main metrological center of the State service of time, frequency and determination of the Earth rotation parameters
141570, Moscow region, Solnechnogorsk, Mendeleevo settlement, industrial zone of FSUE VNIIFTRI, building 11
D. S. Kupalov
Russian Metrological Institute of Technical Physics and Radio Engineering
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dmitry S. Kupalov, Cand. Sc. (Engineering), Head of Department, Main metrological center of the State service of time, frequency and determination of the Earth rotation parameters
141570, Moscow region, Solnechnogorsk, Mendeleevo settlement, industrial zone of FSUE VNIIFTRI, building 11
E. V. Ivanchenko
Russian Metrological Institute of Technical Physics and Radio Engineering
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Ekaterina V. Ivanchenko, Leading Engineer, Main metrological center of the State service of time, frequency and determination of the Earth rotation parameters
141570, Moscow region, Solnechnogorsk, Mendeleevo settlement, industrial zone of FSUE VNIIFTRI, building 11
References
1. Domnin Yu. S., Elkin G. A., Novoselov A. V., Baryshev V. N., Kopylov L. N., Malyshev Yu. M., Pal’chikov V. G. Use of cold Cesium atoms in quantum frequency standards. Quantum Electronics, 34(12), 1084–1095 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1070/QE2004v034n12ABEH002749 ; https://elibrary.ru/lihuun
2. Blinov I. Y., Boiko A. I., Domnin Y. S., Kostromin V. P., Kupalova O. V., Kupalov D. S. Budget of uncertainties in the Cesium frequency frame of fountain type. Izmeritel`naya Tekhnika, (1), 23–27 (2017). (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/xrywcb
3. Kupalov D. S., Baryshev V. N., Blinov I. Y., Boiko A. I., Domnin Y. S., Ivanchenko E. V. The uncertainty budget of the Rubidium fountain: the preliminary results. Izmeritel`naya Tekh nika, (10), 28–33 (2021). (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32446/0368-1025it.2021-10-28-33 ; https://elibrary.ru/ujofvg
4. Domnin Yu. S., Baryshev V. N., Boyko A. I., Elkin G. A., Novoselov A. V., Kopylov L. N., Kupalov D. S. The MTsR-F2 fountain-type Cesium frequency standard. Izmeritel`naya Tekhnika, (10), 26–30 (2012). (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/pjcczb
5. Sutyrin D. V., Berdasov O. I., Antropov S. Yu., Gribov A. Yu., Balaev R. I., Stel’mashenko E. F., Fedorova D. M., Malimon A. N., Slyusarev S. N. Optical frequency reference for the national time scale. Quantum Electronics, 49(2), 199–204 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1070/QEL16885
6. Kupalov D. S., Baryshev V. N., Blinov I. Yu., Boyko A. I., Domnin Yu. S., Kopylov L. N., Kupalova O. V., Novoselov A. V., Khromov M. N. Keeper of time and frequency units on the basis of the “fountain” of Rubidium atoms. Al’manac of Modern Metrology, (15), 31–41 (2018). (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/xxrzwx
7. Pavlenko K. Yu., Blinov I. Yu., Kupalov D. S. Results of the fi rst metrological test the complex of the equipment Rubidium bench mark of the frequency fountaining type. Vestnik Metrologa, (4), 4–6 (2018). (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/wmgjas
8. Pavlenko K. Yu., Pavlenko Yu. K., Belyaev A. A., Blinov I. Yu., Khromov M. N., Bize S., Lorini L. Creation of the first Russian time and frequency standard on a fountain of ultracold Rubidium atoms. Quantum Electronics, 48(10), 967–972 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1070/QEL16778
9. Slowe С., Vernac L., Hau L. V. High flux source of cold Rubidium atoms. Review of Scientific Instruments, 76(10), 103101 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2069651
10. Park S. J., Noh J., Mun J. Cold atomic beam from a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap with two-color pushing laser beams. Optics Communications, 285(19), 3950–3954 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2012.05.041
11. Chaudhuri S., Roy S., Unnikrishnan C. S. Realization of an intense cold Rb atomic beam based on a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap: Experiments and comparison with simulations. Physical Review A, 74(2), 023406 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.74.023406
12. Wohlleben W., Chevy F., Madison K., Dalibard J. An atom faucet. The European Physical Journal D – Atomic, Molecular, Optical and Plasma Physics, 15(2), 237–244 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100530170171 ; https://elibrary.ru/atkfpf
13. Donley E. A., Heavner T. P., Jefferts S. R. Optical molasses loaded from a low-velocity intense source of atoms: an atom source for improved atomic fountains. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 54(5), 1905–1910 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2005.853218
14. Ovchinnikov Yu. B. Compact magneto-optical sources of slow atoms. Optics Communications, 249(4-6), 473–481 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2005.01.047 ; https://elibrary.ru/kgodub
15. Kupalov D. S., Aleynikova E. S. Investigation of a source of slow atoms based on a magneto-optical trap for a fountaintype Rubidium frequency standard. Metrology of Time and Space: Proc. VII International Symposium, pp. 46–47, Suzdal, Russia, 2014. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/tvfkoz
16. Lundblad N., Aveline D. C., Thompson R. J., Kohel J. M., Ramirez-Serrano J., Klipstein W. M., Enzer D. G., Yu. N., Maleki L. Two-species cold atomic beam. Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 21(1), 3–6 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.21.000003
17. Ravenhall S., Yuen B., Foot C. High-flux, adjustable, compact cold-atom source. Optics Express, 29(14), 21143–21159 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.423662 ; https://elibrary.ru/erzdob
18. Lee K. I., Kim J. A., Noh H. R., Jhe W. Single-beam atom trap in a pyramidal and conical hollow mirror. Optics Letters, 21(15), 1177–1179 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.21.001177 ; https://elibrary.ru/xrdyrb
19. Monroe C., Swann W., Robinson H., Wieman C. Very cold trapped atoms in a vapor cell. Physical Review Letters, 65, 1571 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.65.1571
20. Kohns P., Buch P., Suptitz W., Csambal C., Ertmer W. On-Line measurement of Sub-Doppler temperatures in a Rb magnetooptical trap-by-trap centre oscillations. Europhysics Letters, 22(7), 517–522 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/22/7/007
21. Kohel J. M., Ramirez-Serrano J., Thompson R. J., Maleki L., Bliss J. L., Kenneth G. Libbrecht Generation of an intense cold-atom beam from a pyramidal magneto-optical trap: experiment and simulation. Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 20(6), 1161–1168 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.20.001161
Review
For citations:
Aleinikova E.S., Kupalov D.S., Ivanchenko E.V. A source of slow atoms based on a conical magneto-optical trap. Izmeritel`naya Tekhnika. 2026;75(1):80-88. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32446/0368-1025it.2026-1-80-88
Views:
168
JATS XML
Email this article 