Cold Atom Optical System for Space

We intend to develop a compact and robust diode laser system suitable for generating Bose-Einstein Condensation samples for spaced-based atom interferometers being developed for inertial navigation systems. Currently, the laser systems required are very complicated and can easily fill an optical bench. Four separate wavelengths are required for magneto-optic trapping, repumping from dark states, optical pumping of the samples, and probing of the final condensate. In phase I we will demonstrate a laser technology that exhibits reliable autonomous locking and agile frequency-offset locking of a slave laser to a master laser. In phase II the laser system will be packaged into a portable, space-qualified, self-contained system. The system will be completely fiber coupled with at least 200 mW of 780 nm optical power available at the output. The offset locking will be performed without acoustic or electro-optic modulators thus reducing the complexity of the system and power requirements. The laser system will be entirely solid-state with no moving parts.