S. Kulas
C. Vogt
A. Resch
J. Hartwig
S. Ganske
J. Matthias
D. Schlippert
T. Wendrich
W. Ertmer
E. Rasel
M. Damjanic
P. Weßels
A. Kohfeldt
E. Luvsandamdin
M. Schiemangk
C. Grzeschik
M. Krutzik
A. Wicht
A. Peters
S. Herrmann
C. Lämmerzahl

Miniaturized Lab System for Future Cold Atom Experiments in Microgravity

Microgravity Science and Technology
1-12
2016
Type: Zeitschriftenaufsatz (reviewed)
Abstract
We present the technical realization of a compact system for performing experiments with cold 87Rb and 39K atoms in microgravity in the future. The whole system fits into a capsule to be used in the drop tower Bremen. One of the advantages of a microgravity environment is long time evolution of atomic clouds which yields higher sensitivities in atom interferometer measurements. We give a full description of the system containing an experimental chamber with ultra-high vacuum conditions, miniaturized laser systems, a high-power thulium-doped fiber laser, the electronics and the power management. In a two-stage magneto-optical trap atoms should be cooled to the low μK regime. The thulium-doped fiber laser will create an optical dipole trap which will allow further cooling to sub- μK temperatures. The presented system fulfills the demanding requirements on size and power management for cold atom experiments on a microgravity platform, especially with respect to the use of an optical dipole trap. A first test in microgravity, including the creation of a cold Rb ensemble, shows the functionality of the system.