| Summary: | Ultracold atom experiments permit a wide range of applications within the field of quantum technologies by studying atom - photon interactions at micro kelvin temperatures. Cold atom systems are already used in a variety of fields including developing quantum computers, high precision sensors such as magnetometers and gravimeters, tests of fundamental physics in luding detecting dark matter and tests of quantum gravity and many, many more.
The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate over the course five different projects the techniques needed to improve the applications of cold atom systems. There are two larger projects, one of which seeks to demonstrate photon storage in a waveguide chip, which offers an alternative method to quantum computer development than the current method depending on Rydberg atoms. The other intends to use multi frequency light to increase the amount of atoms that can be trapped in cold atom experiments, which would improve the sensitivity of cold atom magnetometers, gravitimeters and other cold atom based sensors currently in use, and also develop the use of cold atom experiments to test theories of quantum gravity.
The other three projects are smaller in scope and look to offer improvements in deploying cold atom systems outside of laboratory conditions. This includes using dual frequency locking to improve laser stability, testing 3D printed vapour cells for their optical properties and usability in cold atom systems and laser locking, and finally the use of coating 3D printed designs with Non Evaporable Getters (NEGs) to improve their passive pumping rate. These NEGs could then be used along side or replace active pumps which are far heavier, bulkier and power consuming. The overarching aim of these smaller projects is to make cold atom systems smaller, lighter and more stable against background noise, in order to bring these experiments ‘out of the lab’ and improve their applicability in real world situations. The terms 3D printing and additive manufacturing are used interchangeably throughout this thesis.
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