Enhanced observation time of magneto-optical traps using micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps significantly extend the observation time of magneto-optical traps without external vacuum systems, enabling miniaturized cold-atom devices.

Contribution

It introduces the use of micro-machined NEGs in UHV cells to passively sustain long-term MOT operation without active pumping.

Findings

MOT observed for 10 minutes with a single laser-activated NEG.

MOT remained visible for over 4 days with multiple NEG tablets.

Passive NEG pumping extends MOT observation time by nearly five orders of magnitude.

Abstract

We show that micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps (NEGs) can extend the time over which laser cooled atoms canbe produced in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), in the absence of other vacuum pumping mechanisms. In a first study, weincorporate a silicon-glass microfabricated ultra-high vacuum (UHV) cell with silicon etched NEG cavities and alumino-silicateglass (ASG) windows and demonstrate the observation of a repeatedly-loading MOT over a 10 minute period with a single laser-activated NEG. In a second study, the capacity of passive pumping with laser activated NEG materials is further investigated ina borosilicate glass-blown cuvette cell containing five NEG tablets. In this cell, the MOT remained visible for over 4 days withoutany external active pumping system. This MOT observation time exceeds the one obtained in the no-NEG scenario by almostfive orders of magnitude. The cell scalability and potential vacuum longevity made possible with NEG materials may enable inthe future the development of miniaturized cold-atom instruments.