Dual-wavelength laser source for onboard atom interferometry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, stable dual-wavelength laser source for onboard atom interferometry, leveraging telecom fiber technology and femtosecond frequency combs to enhance stability and adaptability for microgravity experiments.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel dual-wavelength laser system based on telecom technology, demonstrating its robustness and suitability for microgravity atom interferometry with multiple atomic species.

Findings

Achieved the first dual-species K-Rb magneto optical trap in microgravity.

Demonstrated the system's stability and phase coherence for atom interferometry.

Showcased the setup's immunity to vibrations and thermal fluctuations.

Abstract

We present a compact and stable dual-wavelength laser source for onboard atom interferometry with two different atomic species. It is based on frequency-doubled telecom lasers locked on a femtosecond optical frequency comb. We take advantage of the maturity of fiber telecom technology to reduce the number of free-space optical components which are intrinsically less stable, and to make the setup immune to vibrations and thermal fluctuations. The source provides the frequency agility and phase stability required for atom interferometry and can easily be adapted to other cold atom experiments. We have shown its robustness by achieving the first dual-species K-Rb magneto optical trap in microgravity during parabolic flights.