Modular Laser and Electronics Platform for Fieldable Quantum Sensors and Atomic Clocks

Quantum technology has ushered in development of inertial sensor and atomic timing systems with unparalleled sensitivity, finding applications in atom interferometry, GPS-denied navigation, and timing. There is a growing need for rapid system verification testing of these technologies. Almost all quantum sensors rely on laser systems with tight control of frequency and stability to manipulate internal states of atoms or molecules. There is a critical need for environmentally robust laser and electronics system with low size, weight, and power (SWaP) to control quantum sensors. To address this deficiency, Vescent is developing a modular, low-SWaP laser ecosystem, which seeks to bridge the gap between breadboard prototypes and single-application designs. Laser Building Blocks (LBB) is a modular laser system, which combines Vescent's legacy low noise current sources and servo control with integrated micro-optic lasers and atom references. These modules address the core-electro optic functions that are demanded by cold atom sensors and work together to form a flexible "master-follower" architecture, giving a user both frequency stability and agile control of one, or several laser outputs. This presentation will describe details of this ecosystem, present performance data, and describe the results of several on-going fielded implementations.