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2019
Conference Paper
Titel
The application of telecoms-style packaging techniques to narrow linewidth laser modules for quantum technologies
Abstract
Quantum Technologies (QT) hold the promise of a step-change improvement in many high-impact applications, such as ultra-stable clocks and extremely sensitive gravity and acceleration sensors for financial transaction timestamping, satellite-free navigation, oil and gas prospecting, land-surveying, secure communications and scientific research. The underpinning scientific principles of QT systems are largely developed, but for QT to fulfill its potential then orders of magnitude reduction in size, cost and power consumption of the enabling technologies is required. Stabilized laser systems are key ingredients of many quantum sensors. In many cases multiple lasers, each with specific wavelength, power and linewidth requirements, are needed for cooling, trapping, imaging and the clock references. In this paper we describe the design and packaging of a compact, frequency-stabilized 780nm laser module with integrated vapor reference cell. This stabilized source addresses the D2 transition of 87Rb that connects the ground and excited states, which is used for laser cooling, trapping and repumping in a rubidium interferometer. Component packaging techniques more normally employed in telecoms component packaging are utilized to minimize size and maximize stability. The resulting laser module lends itself to usage in applications in portable instruments outside of the lab.