Nitrogen buffer gas pressure tuning in a micro-machined vapor cell

We demonstrate a controllable depletion of the nitrogen buffer gas pressure in a micro-machined cesium (Cs) vapor cell from the dynamic heating of an alkali dispenser pill. When the alkali source is laser activated, the gettering compounds within the alkali pill dispenser reduce the nitrogen (N-2) content from the vapor for fine-tuning of the alkali to buffer gas pressure ratio, with a demonstrated pressure step size as low as 1 Torr. Additionally, we decrease the buffer gas pressure below 100 mTorr to evaluate the presence of other potential broadening mechanisms. Real-time control of the gas pressure ratio in the vapor cell will have notable benefits for refining atomic sensor performance and provide a routine to achieve various target pressures across a wafer bonded with a uniform back-filled buffer gas pressure.

Automated summary

We demonstrate the controllable depletion of nitrogen buffer gas pressure in a micro-machined cesium vapor cell by dynamic heating of an alkali dispenser pill. The alkali pill dispenser reduces the nitrogen content from the vapor, allowing fine-tuning of the alkali to buffer gas pressure ratio. Real-time control of gas pressure ratio in the vapor cell has benefits for refining atomic sensor performance and achieving various target pressures across a wafer bonded with a uniform back-filled buffer gas pressure.