Apparatus for Optical-Atomic System Integration & Calibration: 1 atm to 1$\times$10${}^{-11}$ Torr in 24h

Abstract

Ultracold atoms exquisitely controlled by lasers are the quantum foundation, particularly for sensing, timekeeping, and computing, of state-of-the-art quantum science and technology. However, the laboratory-scale infrastructure for such optical-atomic quantum apparatuses rarely translates into commercial applications. A promising solution is miniaturizing the optical layouts onto a chip-scale device integrated with cold atoms inside a compact ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber. For prototyping purposes, however, rapidly loading or exchanging test photonic devices into a UHV chamber is limited by the evacuation time from atmospheric pressures to the optimal pressures for ultracold atoms of $1\times 10^{-11}$ Torr, a process typically taking weeks or months without cryogenics. Here, we present a loadlock apparatus and loading procedure capable of venting, exchanging, and evacuating back to $<1\times 10^{-11}$ Torr in under 24 hours. Our system allows for rapid testing and benchmarking of various photonic devices with ultracold atoms.

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