Laser-Written Vapor-Cells

Data di pubblicazione

05-07-2022

Codice

FI.22.019.A

Stato

Disponibile

Data di priorità

16-02-2022

Fase

EP

Titolare

Politecnico di Milano, ICFO, CNR

Dipartimento

Department of Physics

Autori

Osellame Roberto, Zanoni Andrea, Corrielli Giacomo, Mitchell Morgan, Lucivero Vito Giovanni

Descrizione

Vapor-cells are fabricated to contain atoms and molecules and, if irradiated by a laser, they find many different applications: from atomic spectroscopy to atomic gyroscopes for navigation, to atomic clocks or magnetic field sensors in the biomedical field to reveal, for ex., neural currents.

The invention proposes a new method for the fabbrication of these cells, and a way to integrate them with other photonic devices which make use of it, in order to create fully operational, integrated, portable and scalable microsensors.

The invention comprises a vapor-cell and related fabrication method, as well as an integrated device and apparatus in which the cell is contained. The innovative aspect consists in the method used for the realization of the cell. It is a two step process: first the designated sample undergoes femtosecond laser irradiation, then an acid bath is used to remove the irradiated parts. Finally, once the cell is fabricated, it gets filled with atomic vapors.

This process presents the significative advantage, over the existing techniques, to to produce cells with three-dimensional geometries and with the possibility to be buried at an arbitrary depth (with micrometric precision) inside the substrate in which it is fabricated. This allows a better control on the physical properties of the cell, the miniaturization and an easier integration with other photonic structures and/or optical components, which can also be fabricated on chip, exploiting the same tecnique.

Campo di applicazione

<p> <ul> <li> Atomic/molecular spectroscopy for the frequency stabilization of laser sources. </li> <li> Miniaturized atomic clocks: for ex., space/GPS technology. </li> <li> High resolution magnetic field measurement for medical (MEG), geophysical or archeological applications. </li> <li> Atomic gyroscopes for automotoive and for air/naval/space navigation. </li> </ul> </p>

Vantaggi

<p> <ul> <li> Three-dimensional geometry; </li> <li> Positioning at arbitrary depth; </li> <li> Micrometric precision. </li> <li> Miniaturization / customization / integration with other optical components; </li> <li> More versatile and faster prototyping and manufacturing. </li> </ul> </p>

Contatto

licensing.tto@polimi.it