Atom Chip for Quantum Sensing Applications

Over the past few decades, many national and international initiatives have been launched to develop quantum sensors using cold atoms. These systems make it possible to measure physical quantities and are already superior in accuracy to classical devices. The operating principle of the quantum sensors under consideration is based on atomic interferometry of cold atoms. To create a compact source of cold atoms with the ability to manipulate their external and internal degrees of freedom, the first atom chip in Russia was developed at the Institute of Spectroscopy of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This structure consists of metal microwires deposited on a silicon substrate. By passing electric currents through the chip's microtwires, a magnetic field distribution can be created in the surrounding space. In such fields, it is possible to cool and localize atoms, preparing their ensemble for use in a quantum sensor. This work discusses methods for optimizing the number of Rb-87 atoms localized in a MOT created using an atom chip. Spectral measurements and the ability to coherently control atoms localized near an atom chip are also demonstrated.