Field deployable atomics package for an optical lattice clock

Abstract

Abstract An atomics package is the heart of any atom based quantum sensing device. Here we report on the realisation of a field deployable atomics package for alkaline earth atoms, e.g. Sr or Yb. In terms of size (∼121 L), weight (<75 kg) and power (∼320 W), it is the smallest package to date which is designed to load Sr atoms into an optical lattice. It consists of an ultra-high vacuum assembly (<4 L), lasers, magnetic field coils & optics required for cooling & trapping as well as a module for imaging & detection. The package can routinely produce ultra cold and dense samples of 1.6 × 105 88Sr atoms trapped in a 1D optical lattice in less than a second. Its robustness has been demonstrated by conducting two transportation campaigns within out-of-the-lab environments. This advancement will have impact not only on transportable optical clock development but also will influence the wider areas of quantum science and technologies, particularly requiring field deployable cold atom based quantum sensors.