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Compact strontium atomic beam source based on a two-dimensional grating magneto-optical trap

Hyun Gyung Lee1, Young-Ho Park2, Chang Yong Park1, Meung Ho Seo2, Hyun-Gue Hong2, Sang-Bum Lee1, Taeg Yong Kwon1, Seji Kang2, Sangwon Seo1 et al.

Sang Eon Park2, Jongcheol Park3, Yeeun Na3, Il-Suk Kang3, and Jae Hoon Lee1,*

  • *Contact author: jhloptics@kriss.re.kr

Phys. Rev. Applied 24, 044065 – Published 21 October, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/htx8-dr68

Abstract

We present a two-dimensional grating magneto-optical trap (2D gMOT) for strontium, which produces a slow atomic beam in a compact form factor. The strontium 2D gMOT, using permanent magnets with an atomic dispenser, cools and traps atoms along two dimensions in the diffraction plane of a grating chip using the 1S0→1P1 (blue) transition. The system is configured in such a way that the atoms emitted from the dispenser source do not degrade the diffraction efficiency of the grating for long-term stable use. The performance of the 2D gMOT is analyzed with plug and probe beams, where the atomic source achieves a flux of 2.1×108 atoms/s and mean velocity of 6.4 m/s for an input laser power of 75 mW. The velocity measurement allows for the precise characterization of atom-photon scattering properties, showing that the compact 2D gMOT is suitable for portable quantum devices such as atomic clocks, quantum sensors, and precision spectroscopy.

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