FPGA-Controlled Versatile Microwave Source for Cold Atom Experiments

TL;DR

This paper introduces a versatile, FPGA-controlled microwave source designed for cold atom experiments, enabling precise control and testing through Rabi oscillations in a Bose-Einstein Condensate.

Contribution

It provides a detailed design and implementation of an FPGA-controlled microwave source with open-source resources for easy replication in cold atom research.

Findings

Successful excitation of Rabi oscillations in a Na BEC

Open-source design facilitates replication and adaptation

Demonstrates precise microwave control in cold atom experiments

Abstract

We present a microwave source that is controlled by a commercially available field programmable gate array (FPGA). Using an FPGA allows for precise control of the time dependent microwave-dressing applied to a sample of trapped cold atoms. We test our microwave source by exciting Rabi oscillations in a Na spinor Bose-Einstein Condensate. We include, as supplements, the complete source code, parts lists, pin connection diagrams, and schematics to make it easy for any group to build and use this device.