University of Sussex
Browse
PhysRevApplied.12.014033-pubd.pdf (1.4 MB)

Pumping dynamics of cold-atom experiments in a single vacuum chamber

Download (1.4 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 18:32 authored by Jean-Marc Martin, Satyanarayana Bade, William Dubosclard, Murtaza Ali Khan, Seungjin Kim, Barry M. GarrawayBarry M. Garraway, Carlos L Garrido Alzar
A nonlinear analytical model for the pressure dynamics in a vacuum chamber, pumped with a sputter ion pump (SIP), is proposed, discussed and experimentally evaluated. The model describes the physics of the pumping mechanism of SIPs in the context of a cold-atom experiment. By using this model, we fit pump-down curves of our vacuum system to extract the relevant physical parameters characterizing its pressure dynamics. The aim of this investigation is the optimization of cold-atom experiments in terms of reducing the dead time for quantum sensing using atom interferometry. We develop a calibration method to improve the precision in pressure measurements via the ion current in SIPs. Our method is based on a careful analysis of the gas conductance and pumping in order to reliably link the pressure readings at the SIP with the actual pressure in the vacuum (science) chamber. Our results are in agreement with the existence of essentially two pumping regimes determined by the pressure level in the system. In particular, we find our results in agreement with the well-known fact that for a given applied voltage, at low pressures, the discharge current efficiently sputters pumping material from the pump’s electrodes. This process sets the leading pumping mechanism in this limit. At high pressures, the discharge current drops and the pumping is mainly performed by the already sputtered material.

Funding

An atom-chip ring gyro (theory and experiment); G1745; DSTL-DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY; DSTLX1000097814

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Physical Review A

ISSN

2331-7019

Publisher

American Physical Society

Issue

1

Volume

12

Page range

014033

Department affiliated with

  • Physics and Astronomy Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Research Group Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-08-01

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-08-01

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-07-30

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC