Coherent Frequency Shifter, Optical Isolator, Lasers on an Integrated Platform for Cold Atom Microsystems
Abstract
University of California Grant # FA9453-15-1-0006 “Coherent Frequency Shifter, Optical Isolator, Lasers on an Integrated Platform for Cold Atom Microsystems” Abstract This project pursues narrow-linewidth lasers, optical-frequency-shifters, and non-magnetic optical isolators to be integrated as part of an integrated cold atom microsystem including a Rb vapor cell. The resulting integrated cold atom microsystem can achieve low-noise and narrow-linewidth coherent emission with precise tuning of its emission wavelength in reference to the 87Rb D2 transition even in the presence of back-reflection. In particular, the proposed integrated platform can operate at a temperature range beyond 0-50°C, optical isolation > 30 dB (with an ultimate goal of > 50 dB), emission linewidth < 10 kHz, RF drive power < 0 dBm, continuous tuning frequency +/- 5 GHz around 780 nm 87Rb D2 transition wavelength, laser power efficiency > 10 %, and laser output power > 10 mW with extremely low size, weight, and power and high stability leading to significant impacts on modern DoD applications. We propose to achieve such unprecedented performance on a chip-scale platform through combining the following unique approaches. 1. On-chip optical frequency shifter which also provides optical isolation: we will demonstrate an electro-optically modulated waveguide which shifts the optical frequency with essentially no residual baseband or sidelobes while providing optical isolation from back reflection. Further, the device is non-magnetic, compatible with ultra-fine cold-atom microsystems. The innovative RF-photonic design of the optical frequency shifter enables extremely low RF power consumption of 0 dBm. 2. Ultralow noise and narrow linewidth tunable ring laser with built-in frequency selection: we will realize an on-chip ring laser with high-Q cavity, which decouples the clock-wise vs. counter-clockwise lasing modes to provide enhanced immunity to back reflection while offering low noise and narrow linewidth operation. When integrated in tandem with the above on-chip optical frequency shifter, it achieves > 50 dB optical isolation. 3. Advanced heterogeneous chip-scale integration of a cold atom microsystem platform: we will realize a chip-scale platform integrated with a low noise ring laser and an optical frequency shifter with optical isolation capability ready to receive a Rb vapor cell to complete an integrated chip-scale cold atom microsystem (CAM).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 2016
- Source ID
- FA94531510006
Entities
People
- S. J. Ben Yoon
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- United States Air Force
- University of California, Davis