Microprocessor-based control system for cooling and trapping $^{\mathrm{6}}$Li atoms

POSTER

Abstract

We present an electronic control system for laser cooling and trapping experiments. The system is responsible for all signal generation and timing used to generate a magneto-optical trap (MOT) of $^{\mathrm{6}}$Li, and for subsequent optical trapping and imaging. Our system is capable of driving acousto-optical modulators (AOMs), controlling magnetic fields, stabilizing laser intensities, and operating cameras, all of which are synchronized to a sub-microsecond interval. This improves upon other systems by incorporating a feedback element to the AOM (which allows laser intensity stabilization), by centralizing control to one computer, and by allowing simultaneous adjustment of all devices in the control system. Having a centralized control system permits us to both image the atomic trap and manage any beam from a single computer. Our control system is realized by pairing a microprocessor with each electronic device, allowing the user to tune system parameters quickly and efficiently. Communicating with the microprocessors is a two-step process. We first use TCP/IP communications to transmit to an Ethernet-capable microprocessor, which then uses serial UART communications to disseminate commands to the individual devices. Finally, we have developed a user interface that streamlines the process of controlling an experiment and removes the need for users to program a sequence.

Authors

  • Levi Salyards

    Georgia Inst of Tech

  • Jonathan Jeffrey

    Georgia Inst of Tech

  • S.S. Gupta

    Department of Applied Mathematics & Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, UAE, Physics Department, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006, USA, National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Nangal Road, Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab 140 001, India, The Institute for Nuclear Research, Moscow, Davidson Coll, Western kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Naval Postgraduate School, Austin Peay State University, Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Nebraska, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, University of West Georgia, Department of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, Northwestern Univ, Univ of Virginia, Western Kentucky University, Physics Dept. Bowling Green, KY, Department of Physics, The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, TX 78539, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, Western Kentucky University, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, Austin Peay State Univ, University of Pardubice, Clemson University, Appalachian State Univ, Department of Physics, University of West Georgia, Department of Geosciences, University of West Georgia, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University, Francis Marion University, The Pennsylvania State University, Auburn University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Department of Physics, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho, Department of Physics,North Carolina State University, William Mong Institute of Nano Science and Technology, MSTD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Univ of Bristol, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Georgia Institute of Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, University of South Florida

  • Yun Long

    Georgia Inst of Tech

  • Colin Parker

    Georgia Inst of Tech