Compact strontium atom source using fiber-based pulsed laser ablation

We designed, demonstrated, and characterized a strontium atom source based on fiber-based pulsed laser ablation. By using a commercially available miniature lens system for focusing nanosecond pulsed laser of up to 225 mu J delivered through a multimode fiber of 105 mu m core, we ablate a SrTiO3 target and generate a jet of neutral strontium atoms, though our method can be applied to other transparent ablation targets containing materials under concern. Our device endures 6000 cycles of pulse delivery and irradiation without noticeable damage on the fiber facets and lenses. The generated strontium beam is characterized with a spectroscopic method and is revealed to exhibit the transverse temperature of 800 K and a longitudinal velocity of 2300 m/s, which are typical for a pulsed-laser-ablation-based atom source. The number of atoms generated by a single ablation pulse is estimated to be 2 x 10(5). Our device provides a compact, cryo-compatible fiber-pigtailed atom source with minimized device footprints and reduced complexity of vacuum systems to further promote development of cold-atom experiments. It may also find interesting applications in atomic and molecular sciences.

Automated summary

We developed a fiber-based pulsed laser ablation method to generate a jet of neutral strontium atoms. The generated strontium beam was characterized to have a transverse temperature of 800 K and a longitudinal velocity of 2300 m/s. Our device provides a compact and cryo-compatible atom source with minimized device footprints and reduced complexity of vacuum systems, which is beneficial for cold-atom experiments and potential applications in atomic and molecular sciences.