Developing an integrated photonic waveguide/Rb atomic vapor platform for low power nonlinear optics

Recent advances in atomic vapor-integrated photonics have revitalized the field of nonlinear atomic vapor experiments. This work leverages the inherent simplicity of atomic vapors with the control of optical fields and miniaturization provided by photonic technologies, offering a route to compact, fully self-contained quantum devices like memories and switches. Our presentation will detail the progression in nonlinear optical interactions, focusing on EIT using the D2 line in warm rubidium-85 vapor coupled to evanescent fields from a silicon nitride waveguide. We demonstrate the successful integration of atomic vapor glass cells onto silicon chips utilizing epoxy-bonding and the measurement of rubidium absorption spectra through waveguide coupling. Challenges such as thermal management and system stability will be discussed, alongside innovations on cell integration through MEMS fabrication and anodic bonding techniques and incorporation of additional integrated photonic components.