Chip-scale Atomic Devices: Precisions Instruments using Atoms, Lasers and MEMS

Dr. John Kitching
NIST

Monday, April 26, 2010 at 1:00PM
54-134 Engineering IV Building
Refreshments Served

Abstract: We describe recent work a NIST to develop precision instruments based on atomic spectroscopy, advanced semiconductor lasers and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). These millimeter-scale instruments achieve levels of stability or sensitivity comparable to their much larger counterparts but reduced power consumption and potentially reduced manufacturing cost. Physics packages for atomic frequency references with fractional frequency stabilities in the range of 10-11 over one hour have been demonstrated. Using similar device designs and processing, magnetometers with sensitivities below 10 fT/ÖHz have been demonstrated, making them competitive with commercial SQUID-based sensors without the need for cryogenic cooling. The design, fabrication and performance of these instruments will be described, as well as a number of applications to which the devices are well-suited. Finally, we speculate on possible future directions for chip-scale atomic instrumentation with a focus on the use of laser-cooled atomic samples.

Biography: Dr. Kitching received his PhD. in Applied Physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1995 and then joined the Time and Frequency Division at NIST. His research interests include atomic clocks and frequency standards, precision sensors, and applications of semiconductor lasers to problems in atomic physics and frequency control. Most recently, he and his group pioneered the development of microfabricated devices based on atomic vapor cells for use as frequency references, magnetometers and other sensors.

Video: http://www.eeweb.ee.ucla.edu/videos/EE297_Unspecified_2010-04-26_01-06-AM.htm