Compact Optical Cavities for Quantum Photonics and Integrated Timing Solutions (COCQPITS)

Vescent Technologies, Inc. (Vescent) proposes to develop a compact, low-power, environmentally robust ultra-narrow linewidth (UNL) laser module, based on a novel cavity architecture demonstrated by the Precision Photonic Synthesis group at NIST (NIST-PPS). Compared to incumbent UNL laser technology based on bulky reference cavities held under high vacuum, this solution will reduce size by ~1/70, weight by ~1/6, and power by ~1/10, and demonstrate a low-risk, rapid-development pathway to future space deployment. The resulting laser module is a critical component in optical atomic clocks and would enable future NASA missions such as FOCOS and MAGIS which seek to put optical lattice clocks in space for gravitational wave detection and searches for new physics. This novel UNL technology is based on a vacuum-bonded, compact optical reference cavity, which operates without the usual high vacuum enclosure of traditional ultra-low expansion cavities and has already been demonstrated through initial prototypes to operate at 2E-14 instability. This effort will integrate a vacuum-less cavity into a rigid mount for a breadboard clock laser demonstration and performance evaluation. Further, we will generate system designs for a complete <5 Hz laser module (including lasers, control electronics, and opto-mechanics), which occupies ~1 L volume, and which will be developed at an optical clock wavelength of interest in Phase II.