Ultra-low birefringence dodecagonal vacuum glass cell

TL;DR

This paper presents a dodecagonal vacuum glass cell with ultra-low birefringence, suitable for quantum optics and precision measurements, featuring low stress-induced birefringence, high vacuum compatibility, and antireflection coatings.

Contribution

The development of an ultra-low birefringence, epoxy-bonded dodecagonal glass cell with low stress birefringence and high vacuum performance for advanced optical experiments.

Findings

Birefringence around 1e-8 measured under vacuum.

Achieved vacuum pressure below 1e-10 mbar after baking.

Windows are antireflection coated on both sides.

Abstract

We eport on an ultra-low birefringence dodecagonal glass cell for ultra-high vacuum applications. The epoxy-bonded trapezoidal windows of the cell are made of SF57 glass, which exhibits a very low stress-induced birefringence. We characterize the birefringence $\Delta n$ of each window with the cell under vacuum conditions, obtaining values around $\num{e-8}$. After baking the cell at $\SI{150}{\degreeCelsius}$, we reach a pressure below $\SI{e-10}{\milli \bar}$. In addition, each window is antireflection coated on both sides, which is highly desirable for quantum optics experiments and precision measurements.