Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Utah State University

Eric A Imhof

Steven Ryan Jefferts

Michael S Larsen

Thad Gilbert Walker

Matthew Bigelow

Mary Spanjers

Daniel R Blakley

Spencer Olson

Rudolph N Kohn, Jr

David Hostutler

Michael D Bulatowicz

Brian L Kasch

Matthew Squires

Vyacheslav Lebedev

Thomas G Spence

Brian Kasch

Dora Chavez

Steven Werner Geibel

Thad G Walker

Micheal S Larsen

One embodiment includes an electrometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal atoms within and an optical beam system configured to provide at least one optical beam through the sensor cell to provide a Rydberg energy state of the alkali metal atoms, the at least one optical beam exiting the sensor cell as a detection beam. The system also includes a signal generator configured to generate a radio frequency (RF) tuning signal. The system also includes a waveguide extending along a length of the sensor cell, the waveguide being configured to propagate the RF tuning signal in the sensor cell to tune at least one energy state of the alkali metal atoms relative to the Rydberg energy state. The system further includes a detection system configured to monitor the detection beam to detect an external signal based on monitoring the detection beam.

Electrometer with radio frequency (RF) tuning waveguide

One example includes a MOT system. The system includes first optical source configured to provide a plurality of first optical beams parallel to a central axis associated with the MOT system, and a first set of optics configured to focus the first optical beams to the central axis through a trapping region comprising a vapor of atoms. The system also includes a second optical source configured to provide a plurality of second optical beams parallel to the central axis associated with the MOT system, and a second set of optics configured to focus the second optical beams to the central axis through the trapping region. Each of the second optical beams can be coaxial with a respective one of the first optical beams, such that each of the first optical beams is counterpropagating with a respective one of the second optical beams.

Magneto-optical trap system

One embodiment includes an electrometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal atoms within, and an optical beam system configured to provide at least one optical beam through the sensor cell to provide a first Rydberg energy state of the alkali metal atoms, the at least one optical beam exiting the sensor cell as a detection beam. The system also includes a tuning laser configured to generate a tuning beam having a predetermined tuning frequency between the first Rydberg energy state and an intermediate energy state of the alkali metal atoms. The system further includes a detection system configured to monitor the detection beam to detect an external signal having a frequency that is approximately equal to an energy difference between the first Rydberg energy state and a second Rydberg energy state based on monitoring the detection beam.

Electrometer with optical Rydberg frequency tuning

One example includes an electrometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal atoms within, and an optical beam system configured to provide at least one optical beam through the sensor cell to provide a first Rydberg energy state of the alkali metal atoms, the at least one optical beam exiting the sensor cell as a detection beam. The system also includes a radio frequency (RF) tuning field generator configured to generate an RF tuning signal having a tuning frequency that is equal to an energy difference between the first Rydberg energy state and a second Rydberg energy state of the alkali metal atoms. The system further includes a detection system configured to monitor the detection beam to detect an external signal having a frequency that is between the first and second Rydberg energy states.

Electrometer with radio frequency tuning signal

One example includes an atomic optical reference system. The system includes an optical system comprising a laser configured to generate an optical beam. The system also includes a vapor cell comprising alkali metal atoms that are stimulated in response to a modulated beam corresponding to an amplitude-modulated version of the optical beam. The system also includes a detection system configured to monitor at least one detection signal corresponding to light emitted from or absorbed by the vapor cell and to generate at least one feedback signal in response to the at least one detection signal. The system further includes a beam modulator configured to amplitude-modulate the optical beam to generate the modulated beam and to frequency shift the optical beam to generate an output beam having a stable frequency in response to the at least one feedback signal.

Atomic optical reference system

One embodiment includes a vapor cell for an atomic physics-based sensor system. The vapor cell includes a cell wall formed from an approximately transparent material. The cell wall can enclose an alkali metal vapor and can include an inner surface and an outer surface. The vapor cell can also include at least one structural feature provided on at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the cell wall and extending along a portion of the respective at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface.

Vapor cell for atomic physics sensors

An alkali-metal dispenser to dispense highly pure rubidium in a high-vacuum environment while not negatively impacting the high-vacuum pressure level. The alkali-metal dispenser is operable in various vapor-deposition applications or to provide a highly pure elemental-alkali metal in cold-atom magneto-optical traps.

Elemental alkali-metal dispenser

One embodiment includes an electrometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal atoms within, and a probe laser configured to generate a probe beam, the probe beam being provided through the sensor cell. The system also includes a coupling laser configured to generate a coupling beam. The coupling beam can be provided through the sensor cell to combine with the probe beam provided through the sensor cell to provide a Rydberg energy state of the alkali metal atoms, the probe beam exiting the sensor cell as a detection beam. The system further includes a sensor control system configured to monitor the detection beam to detect an external signal based on monitoring a phase of the detection beam.

Electrometer sensor control system

One embodiment includes an electrometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal atoms within, and an optical beam system configured to provide at least one optical beam through the sensor cell to provide a first Rydberg energy state of the alkali metal atoms, the at least one optical beam exiting the sensor cell as a detection beam. The system also includes a tuning signal generator configured to generate a tuning signal having a predetermined tuning frequency to adjust an energy difference between the first Rydberg energy state and a second Rydberg energy state of the alkali metal atoms. The system further includes a detection system configured to monitor the detection beam to detect an external signal having a frequency that is approximately equal to the energy difference between the first Rydberg energy state and the second Rydberg energy state based on monitoring the detection beam.

Electrometer with Rydberg frequency tuning

One embodiment includes an electrometer system that includes a sensor cell and a probe laser to generate a probe beam directed through the sensor cell in a first direction and exiting the sensor cell as a detection beam. The system also includes a coupling laser to generate a coupling beam directed through the sensor cell collinearly and anti-parallel with the probe beam. The system also includes a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference signal having a predetermined polarization and a predetermined frequency through the sensor cell. The system further includes a detection system configured to monitor the detection beam to determine a frequency and a vector component of an external signal based on an intensity of the detection beam and based on the predetermined polarization and the predetermined frequency of the reference signal.

Vector-sensitive electrometer

A three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D GMOT) configured to trap a cold-atom cloud is disclosed. The 3D GMOT includes a single input light beam having its direction along a first axis, an area along a second and third axis that are both normal to the first axis, and a substantially flat input light beam intensity profile extending across its area. The 3D GMOT may also include a circular, diffraction-grating surface positioned normal to the first axis and having closely adjacent grooves arranged concentrically around a gap formed in its center. The circular, diffraction-grating surface is configured to diffract first-order light beams that intersect within an intersection region that lies directly above the gap and suppresses reflections and diffractions of all other orders. The 3D GMOT may further include a quadrupole magnetic field with its magnitude being zero within the intersection region.

Grating magneto optical trap

A two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D GMOT) that is configured to produce a cold-atom beam exiting the 2D GMOT is disclosed. In embodiments, the 2D GMOT is configured to feed a three-dimensional GMOT with the cold atom beam. In embodiments, the 2D GMOT includes an input light beam having its direction along a first axis, its width along a second axis, normal to the first axis, and a substantially flat input light beam intensity profile. 2D GMOT may further includes a quadrupole magnetic field with its magnitude being zero along a third axis that is centered at the center of the input light beam's width. The 2D GMOT may also include a diffraction-grating surface positioned normal to the first axis, composed of closely adjacent parallel grooves spread across the width and run parallel to the third axis.

Growing community of inventors

Calabasas, CA, United States of America

Eric A Imhof