Experimental measurement of efficiency and transport coherence of a cold atom Brownian motor in optical lattices

The rectification of noise into directed movement or useful energy is utilized by many different systems. The peculiar nature of the energy source and conceptual differences between such Brownian motor systems makes a characterization of the performance far from straightforward. In this work, where the Brownian motor consists of atoms interacting with dissipative optical lattices, we adopt existing theory and present experimental measurements for both the efficiency and the transport coherence. We achieve up to 0.3% for the efficiency and 0.01 for the P\'eclet number

Coherent supercontinuum generation in all-normal dispersion Si3N4 waveguides

Spectral broadening of optical frequency combs with high repetition rate is of significant interest in optical communications, radio-frequency photonics and spectroscopy. Silicon nitride waveguides (Si3N4) in the anomalous dispersion region have shown efficient supercontinuum generation spanning an octave-bandwidth. However, the broadening mechanism in this regime is usually attained with femtosecond pulses in order to maintain the coherence. Supercontinuum generation in the normal dispersion regime is more prone to longer (ps) pulses, but the implementation in normal dispersion silicon nitride waveguides is challenging as it possesses strong requirements in propagation length and losses. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the use of a Si3N4 waveguide to perform coherent spectral broadening using pulses in the picosecond regime with high repetition rate. Moreover, our work explores the formation of optical wave breaking using a higher energy pulse which enables the generation of a coherent octave spanning spectrum. These results offer a new prospect for coherent broadening using long duration pulses and replacing bulky optical components

CIRCULAR COMPARISON OF CONVENTIONAL PRESSURE STANDARDS USING A TRANSPORTABLE OPTICAL REFRACTOMETER: PREPARATION AND TRANSPORTATION

Using a transportable Fabry-Pérot cavity refractometer, a circular comparison of existing primary standards at several national metrology institutes is currently underway. This paper provides information about the refractometer, the preparation for the comparison, and the transportation procedur

Quantum-based realizations of the pascal: status and progress of the EMPIR-project: quantumpascal

The QuantumPascal (QP) project combines the capabilities of 12 European institutions to enable traceable pressure measurements utilizing quantum-based methods that evaluate the number density instead of force per area to target the wide pressure range between 1 Pa and 3 MPa. This article summarizes the goals and results since the project start in June 201

Superflow in a toroidal Bose-Einstein condensate: an atom circuit with a tunable weak link

We have created a long-lived (~ 40 s) persistent current in a toroidal Bose-Einstein condensate held in an all-optical trap. A repulsive optical barrier creates a tunable weak link in the condensate circuit, which can affect the current around the loop. Superflow stops abruptly at a barrier strength such that the local flow velocity exceeds a critical velocity. The measured critical velocity is consistent with dissipation due to the creation of vortex-antivortex pairs. This system is the first realization of an elementary closed-loop atom circuit.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in PR

Stability of nonstationary states of spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensates

The stability of nonstationary states of homogeneous spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensates is studied by performing Bogoliubov analysis in a frame of reference where the state is stationary. In particular, the effect of an external magnetic field is examined. It is found that a nonzero magnetic field introduces instability in a (23)Na condensate. The wavelengths of this instability can be controlled by tuning the strength of the magnetic field. In a (87)Rb condensate this instability is present already at zero magnetic field. Furthermore, an analytical bound for the size of a stable condensate is found, and a condition for the validity of the single-mode approximation is presented. Realization of the system in a toroidal trap is discussed, and the full time development is simulated.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council|

Implementation of an optical fiber frequency distribution via commercial DWDM

The rapid development in communication infrastructure over the past decades entails an increasing dependence on time and frequency, as well as its redundant distribution. This places demands not only on already existing distribution methods, but also on the development of new ones to meet future needs. To meet these demands several research groups are working on high performance fiber-based frequency transfer techniques. The best achieved performance so far is the techniques using a single bi-directional fiber connection, with customized bi-directional optical amplifiers [1]. The objective of this project is to develop a method that is compatible with data communication in DWDM-systems, i.e. using the existing infrastructure, as well as to be complementary technique for time and frequency distribution. Even though it is likely to have worse performance than the bi-directional system in terms of frequency stability, it will allow for the impassable obligation to follow the deployed structure of telecom networks. The establishment and early results of the non-stabilized link has been previously presented [2, 3]. The ongoing evaluation and improvement will be aimed at finding relevant performance specifications for a connection using this technique. The work presented here is the most recent results of the frequency transfer and discusses the future plans for the fiber connection, including the added time transfer method. If proven successful, the long-term objective is to establish a distribution network for optical frequency references in Sweden

Fabry-Perot-cavity-based refractometry without influence of mirror penetration depth

Assessments of refractivity in a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity by refractometry often encompass a step in which the penetration depth of the light into the mirrors is estimated to correct for the fraction of the cavity length into which no gas can penetrate. However, as it is currently carried out, this procedure is not always coherently performed. Here, we discuss a common pitfall that can be a reason for this and provide a recipe on how to perform FP-cavity-based refractometry without any influence of mirror penetration depth.Errata: C. Forssén, I. Silander, J. Zakrisson, M. Zelan, and O. Axner , "Retraction: “Fabry–Perot-cavity-based refractometry without influence of mirror penetration depth” [J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B 39, 065001 (2021)]", Journal of Vacuum Science &amp; Technology B 40, 037001 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0001829</p

An optical pascal in Sweden

By measuring the refractivity and the temperature of a gas, its pressure can be assessed from fundamental principles. The highest performing instruments are based on Fabry-Perot cavities where a laser is used to probe the frequency of a cavity mode, which is shifted in relation to the refractivity of the gas in the cavity. Recent activities have indicated that such systems can demonstrate an extended uncertainty in the 10 ppm (parts-per-million or 10-6) range. As a means to reduce the influence of various types of disturbances (primarily drifts and fluctuations) a methodology based on modulation, denoted gas modulation refractometry (GAMOR), has recently been developed. Systems based on this methodology are in general high-performance, e.g. they have demonstrated precision in the sub-ppm range, and they are sturdy. They can also be made autonomous, allowing for automated and unattended operation for virtually infinite periods of time. To a large degree, the development of such instruments depends on the access to modern photonic components, e.g. narrow line-width lasers, electro-and acousto-optic components, and various types of fiber components. This work highlights the role of such modern devices in GAMOR-based instrumentation and provides a review on the recent development of such instruments in Sweden that has been carried out in a close collaboration between a research institute and the Academy. It is shown that the use of state-of-the-art photonic devices allows sturdy, automated and miniaturized instrumentation that, for the benefit of industry, can serve as standards for pressure and provide fast, unattended, and calibration-free pressure assessments at a fraction of the present cost