Optical MEMS Devices for Laser Beam Control in Ion and Atom Traps

Ion and atom traps are extremely promising systems for quantum technologies. Microfabricated chip-scale devices for trapping atomic systems will help transform laboratory-based measurements into widely deployable and portable quantum instruments. Essential for the integration of atomic based sensors into compact devices is the development of a suite of miniaturised components for e.g. laser intensity control and steering. The aim of this project is to explore the capabilities of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) technology to develop devices to facilitate tasks such as steering of laser beams to e.g. obtain dynamic control of alignment, control beam movement for atomic transport or address individual atoms or ions held in traps.

This project is a collaboration in Quantum Technologies between Electronic And Electrical Engineering (Prof Deepak Uttamchandani and Dr Ralf Bauer) and Physics (Dr Paul Griffin and Prof Erling Riis) at the University of Strathclyde, and the ion trapping group of Dr Alastair Sinclair at the National Physical Laboratory. It builds on a long standing relationship between Strathclyde and NPL in the area of Quantum Technology, leading to multiple joint publications.

Uttamchandani and Bauer have extensive expertise in optical MEMS devices for advanced laser control, including variable focal length mirrors, variable optical attenuators, optical beam steering and are extremely well linked into the international Optical MEMS research community. Griffin and Riis, in Experimental Quantum Optics and Photonics group, are lead members of UK National Quantum Technologies Hub in Sensing and Metrology.