Evaluation of a lithium magneto-optical trap as a primary pressure gauge

POSTER

Abstract

Preparation and control of extreme-high-vacuum (XHV) environments, as necessary for emerging quantum technologies, has been hindered by the lack of primary pressure gauges. We present preliminary studies of pressure sensing with a lithium magneto-optical trap (MOT). The loss rate from the MOT is compared to semi-classical collision theory to extract the vacuum pressure. We develop a model of the MOT escape velocity since it represents the dominate non-statistical error of the pressure measurement. The robustness of MOTs makes them ideal candidates for deployable sensors and we discuss our efforts to miniaturize a lithium MOT for this purpose.

Authors

  • Daniel S. Barker

    • Sensor Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

  • Eric B. Norrgard

    • Quantum Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

  • Julia Scherschligt

    • Sensor Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

  • Nikolai N. Klimov

    • Sensor Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

  • James A. Fedchak

    • Sensor Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

  • Stephen Eckel

    • Sensor Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899