Direktlink:

  1. Ferdinand-Braun-Institut
  2. Forschung
  3. Quantentechnologie
  4. Integrierte Quantensensoren
  5. Enabling Technologies for Integrated Quantum Sensors

Enabling Technologies for Integrated Quantum Sensors

Deployment of atomic quantum sensors in portable scientific instrumentation and industrial applications requires compact, robust, and scalable system architectures. Laboratory-scale setups must be transformed into manufacturable sensor platforms that operate reliably under field conditions while meeting stringent performance requirements.

Our work focuses on the continuous development of enabling technologies for this transition. By combining additive manufacturing of technical ceramics, vacuum qualification and compact vacuum systems, micro-integrated optical assemblies, and qualified joining technologies, we establish a technology base for integrated quantum sensors targeting demanding applications. This approach enables robust, alignment-free, multifunctional subsystems with reduced complexity, size, and mass for the next generation of quantum sensors.

Additive Manufacturing of Technical Ceramics

Technical ceramics offer key properties for miniaturized quantum sensors and robust optical systems, including mechanical robustness, favorable thermal properties, and ultra-high vacuum compatibility. Additive manufacturing enables functional integration and scalable production of complex components, with additively manufactured ceramics forming the structural and functional backbone of next-generation, rugged quantum devices.

The image shows a collection of white 3D-printed ceramic parts in various shapes and sizes. Some are flat with engraved logos, while others have more complex structures. A cent coin serves as a scale for the size of the parts.
  • Lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM)
  • CeraFab S65 printer: 40 µm pixel size, 102 x 64 x 320 mm³ build volume
  • Materials: oxide and nitride ceramics such as Al2O3, ZrO2, and AlN

Parts manufactured using this approach feature high geometrical accuracy and surface quality and can be further functionalized with metallization and micro-structuring techniques available at FBH.
 

Miniaturized Optical Systems and Adhesive Qualification

Highly integrated, robust optical assemblies are a prerequisite for field-deployable quantum technologies. Our micro-integration approach combines precision alignment with qualified joining processes to realize ultra-robust optical systems with long-term alignment stability.

The image shows the integration of a miniaturized optic component on a ceramic micro-optical bench. The optic glows blue/violet due to the UV radiation used to cure the adhesive.
  • Tailored system design expertise spanning the full process chain from requirement definition to validated system, including CAD design, component selection, integration, and validation
  • Micro-integration facility for active alignment of up to four components with 1 nm/ 1 µrad step size
  • Qualified adhesive bonding technologies

This approach enables the precise assembly of milliliter-sized optical systems with high environmental robustness for ground-based and space applications.

Vacuum Qualification, Compact Vacuum Systems and in-vacuum optical systems

Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments are a prerequisite for various atom-based quantum technologies. Miniaturization of vacuum systems requires a detailed understanding of material outgassing, sealing technologies, and long-term vacuum behavior at both component and system level.
Our vacuum qualification infrastructure enables systematic evaluation of materials, assem-blies, and adhesives under relevant conditions. 

The image shows a computer model of an ultra-high vacuum system for measuring outgassing rates. The system consists of various bolted vacuum chambers, flanges, and windows. Linear actuators for inserting and moving samples within the vacuum system can also be seen. Next to the vacuum apparatus is a desk workstation.
  • Outgassing rate measurements and residual gas analysis under UHV conditions
  • Hermeticity testing setups for components and assemblies
  • Vacuum systems for thermal conditioning and system operation

These capabilities are directly linked to the ongoing development of compact vacuum cells and sensor packages. A particular focus lies on miniaturized in-vacuum optical systems, enabling higher integration density and improved long-term stability of atomic quantum sensors. This is directly applicable to compact frequency references based on thermal atomic beams and related sensor concepts.
 

Reference Systems and Demonstrators

Based on the enabling technologies described above, several quantum sensor subsystems and sensor heads have been successfully miniaturized and experimentally validated.

These activities are supported by comprehensive testing and qualification infrastructure, including high-resolution measuring microscopes, optical profilometers, and (thermo-) mechanical testing systems.

The image shows a micro-integrated optical system for generating a crossed beam optical dipole trap. The system consists of various optical elements made of glass, such as mirrors, prisms, and lenses, as well as a collimator with a metal housing, which are arranged on a white ceramic microbench. A cent coin is placed next to the optical module for size comparison.

Micro-Integrated Crossed-Beam Optical Dipole Trap

•    Fully micro-integrated optical architecture with precise overlap of two focused optical beams
•    Compact system (25 mL volume) with high mechanical and thermal stability
•    Suitable for laser cooling and manipulation of atoms in compact physics packages
 

The image shows a compact optical frequency reference module called “CerAMRef.” It consists of a collimator with a shiny metal housing and various small optical components mounted on a micro-optical ceramic bench. A cent coin is placed next to the module for size comparison.

Miniaturized Optical Frequency Reference

•    Doppler-free spectroscopy system CerAMRef (6 mL volume)
•    Fiber-coupled, micro-integrated optical system with rubidium vapor cell
•    Functionalized, monolithic ceramic substrate
•    Well suited for laser stabilization in cold-atom applications and metrology systems

The image shows a ceramic magnetometer measuring head. The measuring head is shown open and consists of two copper coils and small optical elements mounted on a white ceramic substrate. An optical fiber with a blue housing is connected to it. A cent coin is placed next to the measuring head for size comparison.

Optically Pumped Magnetometer

•    Compact sensor head (7 mL volume) using non-magnetic materials for high-sensitivity applications
•    Ceramic bench with tailored thermal design for integration of a heated vapor cell
•    Relevant applications include biomedical sensing, inertial navigation and geophysics

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