Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland have made a significant stride in integrating atomic vapors with nanophotonic devices, a development that could have practical applications in the energy sector, particularly in sensing and quantum technologies.
The team, led by Rahul Shrestha and including Khoi Tuan Hoang, Peter Riley, Roy Zektzer, Daron Westly, Paul Lett, Matthew T. Hummon, and Kartik Srinivasan, has successfully combined silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with microfabricated borosilicate vapor cells and rubidium (Rb) dispensers. This integration is achieved through hermetic seals via anodic bonding, a process that ensures the device’s compactness and scalability.
The researchers found that the successful operation of these devices hinges on optically activating the Rb dispenser in a low-power pulsed mode. This method releases controlled amounts of Rb vapor on demand while mitigating photonic degradation. Additionally, a counter-propagating desorption laser is used to completely suppress Rb-induced losses, enabling waveguide-based atomic vapor spectroscopy.
The team demonstrated repeatable control of vapor density by tuning activation pulse length, duty cycle, and device temperature. This level of control is crucial for practical applications, as it allows for precise and reliable operation of the devices.
The research, published in the journal Optica, establishes a compact, manufacturable, and scalable vapor-PIC device. This advancement sets the stage for future demonstrations in cavity quantum electrodynamics, quantum nonlinear optics, and chip-scale atomic sensors, which could have significant implications for the energy sector. For instance, these technologies could lead to more efficient and accurate sensors for monitoring energy systems, or enable new approaches to energy storage and distribution.
In summary, the researchers have developed a compact and scalable device that integrates atomic vapors with nanophotonic devices. This achievement could pave the way for practical applications in the energy sector, particularly in sensing and quantum technologies. The research was published in Optica, a peer-reviewed journal focusing on high-impact research in optics and photonics.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.