Cavity-Vacuum System for enhanced ultra-cold atom generation

Croft, Georgina (2021). Cavity-Vacuum System for enhanced ultra-cold atom generation. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

A design of a proof-of-principle, all-optical method of generating the ultra-cold atoms required for space-based atom interferometry is presented. The system will evaporatively cool in an optical dipole trap (ODT) and employ an optical cavity to enhance the trapping power. This design proposes a novel hybrid single-beam/lattice ODT to reach ultra-cold temperatures, and ideally Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). This project builds on heritage from the group by employing a compact ‘prism MOT’ which uses reflective prisms to generate the beams required for magneto-optical trapping (MOT). If successful, this project would demonstrate the first ODT and BEC loaded from a prism MOT. From simulation, a 4 mirror cavity is chosen with a finesse of 2991 which produces an initial ODT depth of 100 mW. This thesis presents the system design including: the cavity and initial building considerations; the vacuum system, the laser system and telescopes, and the magnetic field coils. This system will use only a single laser for all stages of ultra-cold atom generation (2D MOT, 3D MOT, ODT, BEC). This, as well as the compact prism MOT and low power ODT, is advantageous for the Size, Weight and Power of the system which is critical for a space-based experiment.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):