This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating laser cooling techniques from the science of atomic physics to fill a gap in the technology of precision sensors. The translated science has a unique combination of high sensitivity, good stability, and excellent reproducibility, which provide exemplary performance and efficacy when compared to the leading competing technologies of mechanical and electronic sensors. The project accomplishes this goal by developing new vacuum techniques resulting in a prototype glass cell that will enable laser cooling in a commercially practical device. The partnership engages Triad Technology, Inc to provide guidance in the spectroscopic cell market space and other aspects such as financing and commercialization as they pertain to the potential to translate the technology along a path that may result in a competitive commercial reality.
The potential economic impact is expected to be up to one billion dollars in the next twenty years, which will contribute to the U.S. competitiveness in the precision sensor market. The societal impact, long term, will be significant improvement in a wide range of vital technologies, including vehicle navigation, energy exploration, threat detection, and secure communication.
Laser cooling is a technique that easily and rapidly produces a sample of atoms at nearly absolute zero temperature. These atoms can be useful for many applications, including precision sensing, non-linear optics, and quantum information. However, it is necessary to confine the atoms in an ultra-high vacuum environment, which typically requires a bulky apparatus and consumes significant electrical power. This project supported an effort to develop a new type of glass cell that would be more suitable for practical applications. The cell can maintain ultra high vacuum conditions without the use of an active vacuum pump, and it would include a source of atoms for cooling. The cell is made from a type of glass that is particularly impermeable to atmospheric gasses, and includes a chemical ‘getter’ material that can trap most contaminant molecules that do penetrate in. Several challenges were resolved. We were able to demonstrate laser cooling in a sealed cell for many weeks, and our studies established how to regulate the amount of atoms in the cell, as needed for the cooling effect. Preliminary work was done on a prototype cell using glass with optical quality lower than desired. An improve prototype was construct using a glass frit construction technique. This cell did not perform well, as we were unable to maintain the required amount of atoms for cooling. We believe that atoms were being trapped in the glass frit material. Based on this result, we are continue to work on development of a high quality cell that is constructed using a different technique. Regarding broader impacts, three graduate students and one undergraduate student worked on and contributed to the project. These students learned new techniques in vacuum processing and analysis, surface physics and chemistry, and materials design. They also gained practice in research techniques by developing and carrying out experiments to characterize the cells. This expertise will contribute to their productivity in their scientific careers. Because of the nature of this project as technology transfer, these students and others in my research group were exposed to a type of entrepreneurial thinking that is not typically part of the academic research experience. One of the students participated in a pitch competition which he described as very informative. I expect that all the students involved will be more sensitive to future opportunities to apply their scientific research to commercial and technological problems.
