Low SWaP-C Modular Laser Architecture for Laser-Cooled Quantum Sensors and Atomic Clocks

Vescent Photonics, LLC (Vescent) proposes to develop a compact, low-power, environmentally robust, frequency agile laser system for use with space-based light-pulse atom interferometry (LPAI) and other cold-atom-based sensing and timing systems. This proposal specifically addresses the development of high-performance laser systems with low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) for spaceborne quantum gravity gradiometry (QGG) based on LPAI. Spaceborne QGG has been proposed and evaluated to offer higher temporal and spatial resolution in global gravity monitoring measurements for Earth sciences. At this time, however, successful deployment of spaceborne QGG is limited by the lack of suitable frequency-stabilized lasers that can withstand the rigors of space flight while meeting the high-performance requirements for LPAI. The proposed laser system will meet the challenging performance and environmental requirements for space-borne LPAI while still providing a manufacturable and highly configurable architecture to meet the future needs of other types of space-based quantum sensors and atomic clocks. In the proposed effort, we will build a low SWaP-C, modular laser system that will be compatible with a cesium-based quantum gravity gradiometer being developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Vescent will design and build the laser system based on a hybrid approach that combines micro-optical components, fiber-optics, and photonic integrated circuits to reduce the volume of the electro-optics packages while substantially improving their environmental robustness and manufacturability. These electro-optical packages will be tightly integrated with ultralow-SWaP, low-noise electronics for performing active feedback control of the laser optical frequencies and intensities. Our proposed modular architecture can be easily configured for a variety of measurement strategies and will allow much faster development of future space-based LPAI systems. JPL will provide requirements for the laser system and perform integration testing of the Vescent laser system with their LPAI-based gravity gradiometer. The successful development of this new laser system will provide the frequency-stabilized light required for LPAI in QGG, enabling practical implementation and infusion of QGG to future earth gravity measurement and monitoring missions beyond today's capabilities.

Accelerate mission development and reduce risk by developing critical components and subsystems for advanced instruments and observing systems

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