Integrated Optical Vapor Cell Apparatus for Precision Spectroscopy
AssigneesBrigham Young University, The Regents of the University of California
InventorsHolger Schmidt, Aaron Roe Hawkins
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Abstract
An optical waveguide is provided comprising a non-solid core layer surrounded by a solid-state material, wherein light can be transmitted with low loss through the non-solid core layer. A vapor reservoir is in communication with the optical waveguide. One implementation of the invention employs a monolithically integrated vapor cell, e.g., an alkali vapor cell, using anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguides, or ARROW waveguides, on a substrate.
Claims20
A method for sealing a vapor reservoir to an integrated waveguide chip, the method comprising:
- attaching a first end of the vapor reservoir to the chip;
- placing an amount of vapor source inside the vapor reservoir;
- establishing a vacuum environment within the vapor reservoir;
- and
- sealing a second end of the vapor reservoir.
A method for sealing a vapor reservoir to an integrated waveguide chip, the method comprising:
- cleaving the chip to a desired size;
- attaching a first end of the vapor reservoir over a first open end of a hollow waveguide comprised in the chip, wherein the vapor reservoir comprises a metallic cylinder, and wherein epoxy is used to form an air-tight seal between the first end of the vapor reservoir and the chip;
- placing the chip and the vapor reservoir in a controlled environment glovebox filled with nitrogen;
- introducing alkali metal droplets into the vapor reservoir;
- and
- sealing a second end of the vapor reservoir by crimping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.