A fibered laser system for the MIGA large scale atom interferometer

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 3268 - 14
• Main Authors: Sabulsky, D. O., Junca, J., Lefèvre, G., Zou, X., Bertoldi, A., Battelier, B., Prevedelli, M., Stern, G., Santoire, J., Beaufils, Q., Geiger, R., Landragin, A., Desruelle, B., Bouyer, P., Canuel, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 24.02.2020; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/624; 639/624/1020/1086; 639/624/1020/1093; 639/624/400/1113; 639/766/36; 639/766/483/3924; 639/766/930; Astrophysics; Atomic Physics; Humanities and Social Sciences; Instrumentation and Detectors; Lasers; multidisciplinary; Optics; Physics; Polarization; Remote control; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Atom interferometry; Cold atom; Quantum sensor; Fiber lasers
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59971-8

We describe the realization and characterization of a compact, autonomous fiber laser system that produces the optical frequencies required for laser cooling, trapping, manipulation, and detection of 87 Rb atoms - a typical atomic species for emerging quantum technologies. This device, a customized laser system from the Muquans company, is designed for use in the challenging operating environment of the Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit (LSBB) in France, where a new large scale atom interferometer is being constructed underground - the MIGA antenna. The mobile bench comprises four frequency-agile C-band Telecom diode lasers that are frequency doubled to 780 nm after passing through high-power fiber amplifiers. The first laser is frequency stabilized on a saturated absorption signal via lock-in amplification, which serves as an optical frequency reference for the other three lasers via optical phase-locked loops. Power and polarization stability are maintained through a series of custom, flexible micro-optic splitter/combiners that contain polarization optics, acousto-optic modulators, and shutters. Here, we show how the laser system is designed, showcasing qualities such as reliability, stability, remote control, and flexibility, while maintaining the qualities of laboratory equipment. We characterize the laser system by measuring the power, polarization, and frequency stability. We conclude with a demonstration using a cold atom source from the MIGA project and show that this laser system fulfills all requirements for the realization of the antenna.