A perspective on integrated atomo-photonic waveguide circuits

TL;DR

This paper discusses integrated atomo-photonic waveguide circuits that enable guiding atoms and photons simultaneously, highlighting their potential for quantum sensors and the challenges in developing this technology.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive overview of integrated atomo-photonic waveguides and their application in quantum inertial sensors, emphasizing the integration of atom and photon guiding.

Findings

Design configurations for quantum inertial sensors are proposed.

Differences between free-space and guided atom interferometers are analyzed.

Theoretical and technological challenges for realization are discussed.

Abstract

Integrated photonic circuits based on suspended photonic rib waveguides, which can be used for coherent trapping, guiding, and splitting of ultra-cold neutral atoms in two-colour evanescent light fields near their surfaces, are described. Configurations of quantum inertial sensors based on such integrated atomo-photonic waveguides, which are simultaneously guiding photons and atoms along the same paths, are presented. The difference between free-space and guided atom interferometers in the presence of external forces is explained. The theoretical and technological challenges, to be overcome on the way to the realization of such a novel platform for quantum technologies, are discussed.