arXiv subjects

Julian Pick

Publications and source records attributed to Julian Pick.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Miniaturized vacuum package for magneto-optical trapping of strontium

Quantum sensors, like optical lattice clocks, undergo a continuous development from lab-based towards mobile systems. A key aspect in the miniaturization of the experimental setups is the development of compact atom sources. Conventional atom sources for alkaline-earth-like elements consist of a high-power oven and a six-beam magneto-optical trap (MOT) inside of vacuum chamber with extensive flanges, viewports and electrical feedthroughs. Here we present a highly compact vacuum package utilizing key technologies for future quantum sensor systems: A chip-based low-power atomic oven, a planar grating MOT chip, and a miniaturized vacuum pump all held inside an additively manufactured titanium vacuum chamber, featuring custom-sized vacuum flanges. In this miniaturized setup, spanning a volume of only 750 ml, we trap up to $10^5$ Sr atoms in a MOT, requiring an oven heating power below 1 W.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

A low-power microstructured atomic oven for alkaline-earth-like elements

Alkaline-earth-like elements play pivotal roles in advanced quantum sensing technologies, notably optical clocks, with unprecedented precision achieved in recent years. Despite remarkable progress, current optical lattice clocks still face challenges in meeting the demanding size, weight, and power consumption constraints essential for space applications. Conventional atom sources, such as ovens or dispensers, require substantial heating power, making up a significant fraction of the system's overall power consumption. Addressing this challenge, we present a novel microstructured atomic oven based on fused silica, designed for miniaturization and low-power operation. We characterize the oven by loading a magneto-optical trap with Yb evaporated from the oven and demonstrate operation with a loading rate above $10^8$ $\mathrm{atoms}/\mathrm{s}$ for heating powers below $250$ $\mathrm{mW}$.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Compact structures for single-beam magneto-optical trapping of ytterbium

Today's best optical lattice clocks are based on the spectroscopy of trapped alkaline-earth-like atoms such as ytterbium and strontium atoms. The development towards mobile or even space-borne clocks necessitates concepts for the compact laser-cooling and trapping of these atoms with reduced laser requirements. Here we present two compact and robust achromatic mirror structures for single-beam magneto-optical trapping of alkaline-earth-like atoms using two widely separated optical cooling frequencies. We have compared the trapping and cooling performance of a monolithic aluminium structure that generates a conventional trap geometry to a quasi-planar platform based on a periodic mirror structure for different isotopes of Yb. Compared to prior work with strontium in non-conventional traps, where only bosons were trapped on a narrow line transition, we demonstrate two-stage cooling and trapping of a fermionic alkaline-earth-like isotope in a single-beam quasi-planar structure.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

139 GHz UV phase-locked Raman laser system for thermometry and sideband cooling of $^9$Be$^+$ ions in a Penning trap

We demonstrate phase locking of two ultraviolet laser sources by modulating a fundamental infrared laser with 4th-order sidebands using an electro-optic modulator and phase locking of one sideband to a second fundamental infrared laser. Subsequent sum frequency generation and second harmonic generation successfully translates the frequency offset to the ultraviolet domain. The phase lock at 139 GHz is confirmed through stimulated Raman transitions for thermometry of $^9$Be$^+$ ions confined in a cryogenic Penning trap. This technique might be used for sideband cooling of single $^9$Be$^+$ ions as well as sympathetic cooling schemes and quantum logic based measurements in Penning traps in the future.

physics.atom-ph↗