Chip-scale atomic diffractive optical elements

TL;DR

This paper introduces chip-scale atomic diffractive optical elements that integrate atomic vapors with thin optical devices, enabling strong frequency-dependent control of light for compact quantum-optical applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates the fabrication and operation of hybrid atomic diffractive optical elements, combining atomic states with traditional diffractive structures on a chip.

Findings

Atomic vapors enhance diffractive element functionality.

Strong frequency-dependent optical behaviors observed.

Potential for compact quantum-optical devices.

Abstract

Atomic systems have long provided a useful material platform with unique quantum properties. The efficient light-matter interaction in atomic vapors has led to numerous seminal scientific achievements including accurate and precise metrology and quantum devices. In the last few decades, the field of thin optical elements with miniscule features has been extensively studied demonstrating an unprecedented ability to control photonic degrees of freedom, both linearly and non-linearly, with applications spanning from photography and spatial light modulators to cataract surgery implants. Hybridization of atoms with such thin devices may offer a new material system allowing traditional vapor cells with enhanced functionality. Here, we fabricate and demonstrate chip-scale, quantum diffractive optical elements which map atomic states to the spatial distribution of diffracted light. Two foundational diffractive elements, lamellar gratings and Fresnel lenses, are hybridized with atomic channels containing hot atomic vapors which demonstrate exceptionally strong frequency dependent behaviors. Providing the design tools for chip-scale atomic diffractive optical elements develops a path for a variety of compact thin quantum-optical elements.