Verification and experimental validation of neutral atom beam source produced by L-PBF

TL;DR

This paper validates a calcium atomic-beam source fabricated by L-PBF, demonstrating its reliable operation, beam characteristics, and suitability for electron and ion trapping experiments in ultra-high-vacuum conditions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive validation of a 3D-printed calcium atomic-beam source, including surface quality, operational parameters, and beam properties, for the first time.

Findings

Reliable operation parameters established

Atomic beam divergence measured at 19 degrees

Atom flux estimated at 10^8 atoms per second

Abstract

We report validation tests of a calcium atomic-beam source fabricated via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF). The surface quality and elemental composition of the printed component were quantitatively assessed, allowing us to establish reference parameters for reliable operation in an ultra-high-vacuum environment. Safe operating conditions of the atomic oven were determined through a combination of simulations and experimental measurements. The ability of the device to deliver an atomic beam to the main experimental region -- the electron/ion trap -- was verified using atomic fluorescence imaging. Fluorescence spectroscopy was further employed to characterize the beam divergence, yielding an emission-cone half-angle of approximately 19 degrees for atoms near the beam axis. A current of atoms on the order of $10^8$ s$^{-1}$ was estimated in the electron-trapping region, which is more than sufficient for anticipated electron-trapping and ion-trapping experiments.