Compact laser modulation system for a transportable atomic gravimeter
Alejandra López-Vázquez, Mario A. Maldonado, E. Gómez, Neil Corzo, E. de Carlos-López, J. A. Franco-Villafañe, Karina Jiménez-García, J. Jiménez-Mier, López González, Cristian López-Monjaraz, José Mauricio López-Romero, A. Medina-Herrera, Ricardo Méndez-Fragoso, Carlos Ortiz, Homero Esquivel Peña, J. G. Raboño Borbolla, F. Ramírez-Martínez, Víctor M. Valenzuela
Abstract
Nowadays, atom-based quantum sensors are leaving the laboratory towards field applications requiring compact and robust laser systems. Here we describe the realization of a compact laser system for atomic gravimetry. Starting with a single diode laser operating at 780 nm and adding only one fiber electro-optical modulator, one acousto-optical modulator and one laser amplifier we produce laser beams at all the frequencies required for a Rb-87 atomic gravimeter. Furthermore, we demonstrate that an atomic fountain configuration can also be implemented with our laser system. The modulated system reported here represents a substantial advance in the simplification of the laser source for transportable atom-based quantum sensors that can be adapted to other sensors such as atomic clocks, accelerometers, gyroscopes or magnetometers with minor modifications.