Abstract
Atomic vapors of alkali metals are widely used to slow and stop light
in tabletop experiments. In order to take advantage of the underlying quantum
interference effects in future commercial devices, highly reactive alkali
atoms must be incorporated into small volumes with integrated optical access.
With integration in mind, we describe the development of a hollow-core waveguide
technology based on the combination of vapor-filled hollow waveguides and
conventional solid-core waveguides on a silicon chip. We discuss the underlying
principles of the waveguide design, the development of different approaches
to building on-chip vapor cells, the demonstration of linear and nonlinear
rubidium spectroscopy on a chip, and the prospects for quantum interference
effects such as slow light and giant Kerr nonlinearities using this approach.
Ultrasmall active vapor volumes on the order of 100 picoliters with simultaneously
high optical density in excess of two illustrate the potential of planar hollow-core
waveguides for linear and nonlinear optical spectroscopy of atoms confined
on a chip.
© 2008 IEEE
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