Characterization of Alkali Metal Dispensers and Non-Evaporable Getter Pumps in Ultra-High Vacuum Systems for Cold Atomic Sensors

TL;DR

This paper characterizes alkali metal dispensers and getter pumps in a UHV system, demonstrating stable cold atomic samples with passive vacuum maintenance, crucial for portable atomic sensors.

Contribution

It provides detailed analysis of dispenser gas emissions and vacuum stability in a passive UHV system for cold atom applications, a novel approach for portable sensors.

Findings

Gas composition from dispensers varies with current

Getter pumps effectively maintain vacuum without active pumps

Stable laser-cooled Rb atoms achieved in passive system

Abstract

A glass ultrahigh vacuum chamber with rubidium alkali metal dispensers and non-evaporable getter pumps has been developed and used to create a cold atomic sample in a chamber that operates with only passive vacuum pumps. The ion-mass spectrum of evaporated gases from the alkali metal dispenser has been recorded as a function of dispenser current. The efficacy of the non-evaporable getter pumps in promoting and maintaining vacuum has been characterized by observation of the Rb vapor optical absorption on the D2 transition at 780 nm and vacuum chamber pressure rate of rise tests. We have demonstrated a sample of laser-cooled Rb atoms in this chamber when isolated and operating without active vacuum pumps.