Enhanced observation time of magneto-optical traps using micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps

Boudot, Rodolphe and McGilligan, James P. and Moore, Kaitlin R. and Maurice, Vincent and Martinez, Gabriela D. and Hansen, Azure and de Clercq, Emeric and Kitching, John (2020) Enhanced observation time of magneto-optical traps using micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps. Scientific Reports, 10. 16590. ISSN 2045-2322 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73605-z)

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Abstract

We show that micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps (NEGs) can extend the time over which laser cooled atoms can be produced in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), in the absence of other vacuum pumping mechanisms. In a first study, we incorporate a silicon-glass microfabricated ultra-high vacuum (UHV) cell with silicon etched NEG cavities and alumino–silicate glass (ASG) windows and demonstrate the observation of a repeatedly-loading MOT over a 10 min period with a single laser-activated NEG. In a second study, the capacity of passive pumping with laser activated NEG materials is further investigated in a borosilicate glass-blown cuvette cell containing five NEG tablets. In this cell, the MOT remained visible for over 4 days without any external active pumping system. This MOT observation time exceeds the one obtained in the no-NEG scenario by almost five orders of magnitude. The cell scalability and potential vacuum longevity made possible with NEG materials may enable in the future the development of miniaturized cold-atom instruments.

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