Miniature Ultracold Atom Chamber

Cold atom sensors have a variety of uses as next-generation precision measurement devices for geolocation, sensing, and timekeeping. Sensors such as accelerometers, clocks, magnetometers, and gravity gradiometers have been developed using cold or ultracold atomic systems. While some of these sensors require the preparation of cold (temperature ~ìK) atoms in a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT), many require an additional step of cooling to reach the ultracold temperatures (temperature ~nK) attained in a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC). Although the physical configuration of these sensors may be different, all the sensors in this suite share a common set of required instrumentation. The proposed work will develop a critical component common to all practical, fieldable cold atom sensors: a miniature, portable, ultracold atom chamber. The atom chamber consists of a glass cell, an alkali atom dispenser, and a Non-Evaporable Getter (NEG) pump. The proposed work will result in a miniature Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) chamber without an active pump that will enable the next generation of compact and portable cold atom sensors.