Atomic vapor spectroscopy in integrated photonic structures

Abstract

We investigate an integrated optical chip immersed in atomic vapor providing several waveguide geometries for spectroscopy applications. The narrow-band transmission through a silicon nitride waveguide and interferometer is altered when the guided light is coupled to a vapor of rubidium atoms via the evanescent tail of the waveguide mode. We use grating couplers to couple between the waveguide mode and the radiating wave, which allow for addressing arbitrary coupling positions on the chip surface. The evanescent atom-light interaction can be numerically simulated and shows excellent agreement with our experimental data. This work demonstrates a next step towards miniaturization and integration of alkali atom spectroscopy and provides a platform for further fundamental studies of complex waveguide structures.

Enhanced light‐vapor interactions and all optical switching in a chip scale micro‐ring resonator coupled with atomic vapor

“…Owing to the significant reduction in device dimensions, the increase in density of states, the interaction with surfaces and primarily the high intensities carried along the structure, a rich world of light vapor interactions can be studied, and new functionalities such as low power nonlinear light‐matter interactions can be achieved. Further enhancement of light matter interactions can be obtained by implementing guided‐light and vapor interactions in resonator systems such as Fabry‐perot cavities and micro ring resonators (MRRs) . Indeed, the combination of photonic and atomic resonances are of fundamental and applied interest as a myriad of fascinating phenomena such as strong coupling , Purcell enhancements , Fano resonances , slow and fast light enhancement , and cavity broadening can now be investigated.…”

Colloquium : Quantum matter built from nanoscopic lattices of atoms and photons

“…As the number of adsorbed atoms increases, the photonic band edge or a high-Q optical resonance can be shifted significantly (Barclay et al, 2006). Surface adsorption can also induce optical loss and deteriorate the mode quality (Ritter et al, 2015). A workaround is by constantly heating the nanostructure to remove surface-adsorbed atoms.…”

Chip-scale atomic devices

“…53, has been demonstrated in SiN waveguides and Rb vapor. 114,[266][267][268][269][270] This approach has the potential for high manufacturability, particularly for low-power nonlinear optics. Despite large transit-time broadening ($100 MHz) and light shifts, the high degree of integration may allow for extremely small wavelength references.…”