Optimal binary gratings for multi-wavelength magneto-optical traps

Oliver S. Burrow, Robert J. Fasano, Wesley Brand, Michael W. Wright, Wenbo Li, Andrew D. Ludlow, Erling Riis, Paul F. Griffin, Aidan S. Arnold

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
64 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Grating magneto-optical traps are an enabling quantum technology for portable metrological devices with ultracold atoms. However, beam diffraction efficiency and angle are affected by wavelength, creating a single-optic design challenge for laser cooling in two stages at two distinct wavelengths – as commonly used for loading, e.g., Sr or Yb atoms into optical lattice or tweezer clocks. Here, we optically characterize a wide variety of binary gratings at different wavelengths to find a simple empirical fit to experimental grating diffraction efficiency data in terms of dimensionless etch depth and period for various duty cycles. The model avoids complex 3D light-grating surface calculations, yet still yields results accurate to a few percent across a broad range of parameters. Gratings optimized for two (or more) wavelengths can now be designed in an informed manner suitable for a wide class of atomic species enabling advanced quantum technologies.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)40871-40880
Number of pages10
JournalOptics Express
Volume31
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • grating magneto-optical traps
  • quantum technology
  • binary gratings

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