COMS-Integrated Atomic Vapor Cells with Ultra-long Optical Access for Highly Sensitive and Scalable Quantum Sensors

TL;DR

This paper introduces wafer-level atomic vapor cells with ultra-long optical access, enabling highly sensitive, scalable quantum sensors, demonstrated through advanced fabrication, stability testing, and quantum effect observations.

Contribution

It presents a novel micromachining process for integrated vapor cells with ultra-long optical paths, enhancing quantum sensor performance and scalability.

Findings

Achieved 5 mm optical access, four times longer than previous cells.

Demonstrated stable operation over 30 days at high temperature and vacuum.

Realized zero-field quantum magnetometry with 12 fT/Hz1/2 sensitivity.

Abstract

The most appealing features of chip-scale quantum sensors are their capability to maintain extreme sensitivity while enabling large-scale batch manufacturing. This necessitates high-level integration and wafer-level fabrication of atomic vapor cells. In this paper, we describe a micromachining paradigm for wafer-level atomic vapor cells functionalized by CMOS-compatible non-magnetic heaters and temperature sensors and demonstrate several innovative applications. Leveraging standard micro-nanofabrication technology, the integrated vapor cells achieved an ultra-long optical access of 5 mm, nearly four time that of previously microfabricated vapor cells. The feasibility of the integrated atomic vapor cells fabrication process was verified by a consecutive 30-day aging test in a harsh environment (operating temperature of 473 K and vacuum of approximately 1 Pa). Benefiting from the ultra-long optical path, we observed several typical quantum effects, including the saturation absorption and spin fluctuations, a regime previously inaccessible with conventional micromachined vapor cells. Finally, a zero-field quantum magnetometry with an ultra-high magnetic sensitivity of 12 fT/Hz1/2 was also demonstrated. Our achievements broaden the potential applications of microfabricated atomic vapor cells and pave the way for scalable manufacturing of ultrasensitive, chip-scale quantum sensors.