Photonic Crystal Waveguides for Integration into an Atomic Physics Experiment

Abstract

Strongly interacting systems of atoms and photons are an important resource in many active areas of research, including quantum information science, quantum simulation, and metrology. Frequently, the strength of these interactions is enhanced by using an optical resonator to confine light to a small volume. In recent years, there have been efforts to replace traditional Fabry–Perot resonators, formed from macroscopic mirrors, with micro- and nano-fabricated systems, leveraging techniques and infrastructure from semiconductor manufacture to scalably produce high-quality, small mode volume waveguides and resonators. Of particular interest are nano-fabricated photonic crystals, in which very fine control over modal and dispersion properties is possible. Here I describe our efforts to reliably produce photonic crystal waveguides with guided modes designed to trap and interrogate an array of ultracold cesium atoms. Specifically, I present models capturing band placement, modal structure, finite photonic crystal effects, and waveguide input and output coupling; I discuss the techniques we use to fabricate our photonic crystal waveguides; and I describe our characterization capabilities and the packaging and installation of the waveguides into the atomic physics system.