Description
Atom interferometers are limited in resolution by quantum projection noise, and so require high atomic flux. Here we present the designs for a ultracold strontium source for atom interferometry and optical atomic clock experiments. The design is focused on yielding a high atomic flux while minimising size, weight, and power consumption.
The system will include a vacuum chamber for Zeeman cooling atom from an oven and loading them into a 2D magneto-optical trap, and conveying them into a second chamber via a moving optical molasses. The second chamber will be used to characterise the atom source. The Zeeman slower will have a tailored magnetic field profile formed by a series of permanent magnets in a Halbach configuration, with a multi-tone Zeeman slowing beam ensuring a broad capture velocity range. Permanent magnets for producing the magnetic fields reduce weight and power consumption, and remove the need for water cooling, while small shim coils allow for tailoring of the field profile. The permanent magnets sit in position-adjustable mounts recessed into the vacuum chamber, to allow large, tuneable field gradients in the first chamber while minimising the impact on the second chamber.
