Enhanced observation time of magneto-optical traps using micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps

We show that micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps (NEGs) can extend the time over which laser cooled atoms can be produced in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), in the absence of other vacuum pumping mechanisms. In a first study, we incorporate a silicon-glass microfabricated ultra-high vacuum (UHV...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2020-10, Vol.10 (1), p.16590-16590, Article 16590
Main Authors: Boudot, Rodolphe, McGilligan, James P., Moore, Kaitlin R., Maurice, Vincent, Martinez, Gabriela D., Hansen, Azure, de Clercq, Emeric, Kitching, John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/766
639/766/25
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Astrophysics
Humanities and Social Sciences
multidisciplinary
Physics
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
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Summary:We show that micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps (NEGs) can extend the time over which laser cooled atoms can be produced in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), in the absence of other vacuum pumping mechanisms. In a first study, we incorporate a silicon-glass microfabricated ultra-high vacuum (UHV) cell with silicon etched NEG cavities and alumino–silicate glass (ASG) windows and demonstrate the observation of a repeatedly-loading MOT over a 10 min period with a single laser-activated NEG. In a second study, the capacity of passive pumping with laser activated NEG materials is further investigated in a borosilicate glass-blown cuvette cell containing five NEG tablets. In this cell, the MOT remained visible for over 4 days without any external active pumping system. This MOT observation time exceeds the one obtained in the no-NEG scenario by almost five orders of magnitude. The cell scalability and potential vacuum longevity made possible with NEG materials may enable in the future the development of miniaturized cold-atom instruments.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-020-73605-z