Versatile compact atomic source for high resolution dual atom interferometry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, high-flux $^{87}$Rb atomic source designed for high-resolution dual atom interferometry, featuring a double-stage MOT and precise atomic launching for improved Sagnac interferometry.

Contribution

The work presents a novel compact atomic source with high flux and tunable trajectories, optimized for high-precision dual atom interferometry applications.

Findings

Achieved atomic flux greater than 10^10 atoms/sec.

Demonstrated precise control over atomic temperature, velocity, and pointing.

Validated the source performance with time-of-flight and Raman transition measurements.

Abstract

We present a compact $^{87}$Rb atomic source for high precision dual atom interferometers. The source is based on a double-stage magneto-optical trap (MOT) design, consisting of a 2-dimensional (2D)-MOT for efficient loading of a 3D-MOT. The accumulated atoms are precisely launched in a horizontal moving molasses. Our setup generates a high atomic flux ($>10^{10}$ atoms/s) with precise and flexibly tunable atomic trajectories as required for high resolution Sagnac atom interferometry. We characterize the performance of the source with respect to the relevant parameters of the launched atoms, i.e. temperature, absolute velocity and pointing, by utilizing time-of-flight techniques and velocity selective Raman transitions.