Challenges to miniaturizing cold atom technology for deployable vacuum metrology

TL;DR

This paper discusses the challenges and considerations in miniaturizing cold atom technology for practical, deployable vacuum metrology, focusing on uncertainties, operational modes, and sensor atom choices.

Contribution

It identifies key challenges in making cold atom vacuum gauges portable and evaluates correction factors and uncertainties for different operational modes.

Findings

Expected corrections vary with operational mode

Light Li atoms are preferable over Rb for sensors

Uncertainties depend on environmental and operational factors

Abstract

Cold atoms are excellent metrological tools; they currently realize SI time and, soon, SI pressure in the ultra-high (UHV) and extreme high vacuum (XHV) regimes. The development of primary, vacuum metrology based on cold atoms currently falls under the purview of national metrology institutes. Under the emerging paradigm of the "quantum-SI", these technologies become deployable (relatively easy-to-use sensors that integrate with other vacuum chambers), providing a primary realization of the pascal in the UHV and XHV for the end-user. Here, we discuss the challenges that this goal presents. We investigate, for two different modes of operation, the expected corrections to the ideal cold-atom vacuum gauge and estimate the associated uncertainties. Finally, we discuss the appropriate choice of sensor atom, the light Li atom rather than the heavier Rb.