Abstract:
A sensor system comprises a laser source that emits a pump beam at a first wavelength and a probe beam at a second wavelength, and an optical means for receiving the pump and probe beams. The optical means is operative to generate a plurality of light beams, each having a different frequency, from the pump and probe beams. One or more cells receive the light beams from the optical means and allow passage of the light beams therethrough, with the cells containing alkali atoms. A dichroic filter is configured to receive the light beams from the cells. The dichroic filter separates pump beam light and probe beam light from the light beams. A detector array receives the probe beam light from the dichroic filter. The detector array includes a two-dimensional array of photosensors that map out transmission of respective light beams corresponding to the probe beam light through the cells.
Abstract:
A continuously tunable radio frequency (RF) sensor system is provided. The system includes a pump laser system that includes first and second pump lasers, at least one frequency modulator to modulate frequencies of first and second laser light from the pump lasers to first and second select frequencies, a switch system to selectively pass one of the first and second laser light, an amplifier to amplify the passed laser light, a frequency doubler to double the frequency of the amplified laser light to generate pump light. A laser source lock system is in communication with the pump laser system to ensure a frequency of the pump light is referenced to atoms in a vapor cell and provide a probe light. The pump light and probe light are transmitted through the vapor cell. A detector measures the probe light that passed through the vapor cell.
Abstract:
Systems and embodiments for an integrated photonics tensor magnetometer are described herein. In certain embodiments, a system includes a plurality of magnetometers. The system also includes a laser carrier wafer coupled to each of the plurality of magnetometers that commonly distributes one or more lasers to each of the magnetometers in the plurality of magnetometers. Additionally, the system includes a plurality of photodetectors that detect light emitted from the laser carrier wafer and the plurality of magnetometers. Further, the system includes one or more processors that execute computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to monitor and control operation of the one or more lasers and calculate a magnetic field gradient based on the detected light from the magnetometers.
Abstract:
Apparatuses and methods for a four port atomic gyroscope are disclosed. Because of its four ports, a four port atomic gyroscope has an output separate from an input so as to increase sensitivity of the atomic gyroscope. Thus, smaller changes in rotation rate around a center axis of an optical waveguide loop of the four port atomic gyroscope can be detected.
Abstract:
Embodiments described herein provide for a method of launching atoms in an atom interferometer. The method includes determining a direction of the total effective acceleration force on the atoms, controlling a direction of launch of the atoms for measurement in the atom interferometer based on the direction of the total effective acceleration force, and obtaining measurements from the atoms.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for eliminating multi-path errors from atomic inertial sensors are provided. In certain embodiments, a system for performing atom interferometry includes a vacuum cell containing multiple atoms and a first plurality of lasers configured to trap the atoms within the vacuum cell. The system further includes a second plurality of lasers configured to impart momentum to the atoms and direct the atoms down multiple paths, wherein a primary path in the multiple paths has a first and second component that converge at a converging point, wherein a diverging part of the primary path in which the first and second components are diverging is asymmetrical with respect to a converging part of the primary path in which the first and second components are converging, such that only the first and second components converge at the converging point wherein other paths do not converge at the converging point.
Abstract:
An atomic interferometric accelerometer comprises a laser that emits a pulsed beam at a first frequency, an electro-optic modulator that receives the beam, and a vacuum cell in communication with the electro-optic modulator. The electro-optic modulator outputs a first optical signal corresponding to the beam at the first frequency and a second optical signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency. The vacuum cell has a chamber for laser cooled atoms. The vacuum cell receives the optical signals such that they propagate in a direction that passes through the atoms. A piezo mirror retro-reflects the optical signals back through the vacuum cell in a counter-propagating direction. The piezo mirror is driven with substantially constant velocity during a beam pulse, thereby imparting a Doppler shift to the retro-reflected optical signals to create two non-symmetric counter-propagating lightwave pairs. One of the lightwave pairs supports interferometry while the other is non-resonant.
Abstract:
Embodiments described herein provide for a method of launching atoms in an atom interferometer. The method includes determining a direction of the total effective acceleration force on the atoms, controlling a direction of launch of the atoms for measurement in the atom interferometer based on the direction of the total effective acceleration force, and obtaining measurements from the atoms.
Abstract:
In some examples, a controller is configured to generate a key based on a physics-based output of a component. The controller may, for example, use the key to authenticate communication between at least two nodes, to encrypt data, or to decrypt data. In some examples, the component includes one or more subcomponents, each subcomponent including a cell filled with a gas, a light source configured to transmit a light through the gas cell, and a photodetector configured to sense light transmitted through the gas cell. The photodetector of each subcomponent is configured to generate an electrical signal that changes as a function of one or more properties of the light sourced by the light source, transmitted through the gas cell. The output of the component can is based on the signals generate by the one or more photodetectors.
Abstract:
In some examples, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical accelerometer includes a housing comprising an internal chamber that includes a Fabry-Perot cavity and a proof mass affixed to the housing via one or more elastic elements, a light source configured to emit radiation, a first detector configured to receive radiation transmitted through the Fabry-Perot cavity and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a position of the proof mass. The MEMS optical accelerometer further comprises an atomic wavelength reference and a second detector configured to detect radiation transmitted through the atomic wavelength reference and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a wavelength of the radiation emitted by the light source, and a servomechanism electrically coupled to the second photo detector and the light source, configured to adjust the light source to maintain the radiation emitted by the light source at approximately a selected wavelength.