High flux strontium atom source

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact, high-flux strontium atom source optimized for quantum sensors, employing innovative magnetic and optical techniques to enhance atomic flux and portability.

Contribution

It presents a novel, low-power, high-flux strontium atom source with a cascaded Zeeman-slowing scheme and tailored magnetic fields, improving portability for quantum sensing applications.

Findings

Achieved high atomic flux comparable to traditional sources

Developed a compact, low-power setup suitable for portable sensors

Enhanced atom capture efficiency using tailored magnetic fields

Abstract

We present a novel cold strontium atom source designed for quantum sensors. We optimized the deceleration process to capture a large velocity class of atoms emitted from an oven and achieved a compact and low-power setup capable of generating a high atomic flux. Our approach involves velocity-dependent transverse capture of atoms using a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap. To enhance the atomic flux, we employ tailored magnetic fields that minimize radial beam expansion and incorporate a cascaded Zeeman-slowing configuration utilizing two optical frequencies. The performance is comparable to that of conventional Zeeman slower sources, and the scheme is applicable to other atomic species. Our results represent a significant advancement towards the deployment of portable and, possibly, space-based cold atom sensors.