The image above is what we see as a realistically miniaturized cold atom source, and our research involves developing each element.
These include (from right to left in the image):
- Planar optics to expand and shape laser beams with single robust elements
- Low power, ideally battery powered, electronics for producing magnetic fields.
- Impermeable, high strength glass.
- Silicon chamber structures hermetically bonded to glass and silicon, with passive getter pump coatings.
- Hybrid Silicon-glass optical tables with patterned atom chips, planar MOT optics (Grating MOT), bonded micro-optics and controllable atom sources.
- Detection and control electronics with through-chip vacuum feedthroughs.