Periodic Reporting for period 1 - UVQuanT (Deep Ultraviolet Laser For Quantum Technology)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-10-01 bis 2024-03-31
Lasers are essential tools in modern society, underpinning numerous critical technologies. Since Thomas Maiman’s Ruby laser demonstration in 1960, there has been a synergy between laser technology development and scientific breakthroughs. For example, the development of laser cooling and trapping of atoms at ultracold temperatures benefited significantly from the availability of cheap infrared diode lasers. These lasers played a crucial role in demonstrating Bose-Einstein condensation in 1995 and underpin the most precise time measurements in optical atomic clocks today.
An emerging frontier in laser technology is the deep ultraviolet (DUV) spectrum, specifically the 185-230 nm region. The higher photon energy of DUV light is advantageous for characterizing new materials using techniques such as angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, vital for the semiconductor industry. DUV light interacts with many chemical species of interest, including environmentally relevant species like nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide, but suitable laser sources have been lacking. Providing these sources could lead to better environmental and medical sensors. Additionally, thermal “black-body” radiation, a significant noise source in terrestrial sensors, is strongly suppressed in the DUV, making DUV-based measurement and sensor devices highly attractive.
However, creating DUV light is costly and technically challenging due to the absence of direct gain media that perform as effectively as visible lasers in the DUV. Light from visible or infrared lasers must be converted to ultraviolet, a process that is expensive and specialized. Current DUV laser systems cost around EUR 250,000, deliver about 200 mW of light, and require frequent maintenance. Additionally, optical components for the DUV are often custom-made, with variable results, hindering broader application.
The "Deep Ultraviolet Lasers for Quantum Technology" (UVQuanT) project aims to position the EU as a global leader in DUV technology by developing new, continuous wave DUV lasers with improved performance and reduced cost. Our goal is to achieve reliable DUV laser power above 200 mW at approximately 40% of the current cost, significantly reducing the device footprint and maintenance requirements. These lasers will be applied in cutting-edge research targeting future quantum technologies and quantum simulation devices, providing a springboard for further investment and development in DUV technologies within the EU.
UVQuanT combines academic and industrial expertise across Europe to accelerate innovation. Industrial partner Vexlum (Finland) will develop new infrared and visible laser sources tailored for high conversion efficiency into the DUV. Agile Optic (Germany) will ensure the conversion process is robust and efficient, while EKMSA Optic (Lithuania) will develop improved DUV optics to deliver light from the laser to the experiment. This integrated approach brings the full chain of technology innovation within the EU, enhancing the impact of our work. Academic partners in Germany, Italy, and Sweden will apply these lasers in developing next-generation atomic interferometers, atomic clocks, quantum simulation devices, and ARPES spectrometer measurements for characterizing new materials.
By addressing the current limitations of DUV laser technology and fostering collaboration between manufacturers and end-users, UVQuanT will help position the EU at the forefront of deep ultraviolet technological development, driving innovation and expanding the horizons of quantum technology research and applications.
An emerging frontier in laser technology is the deep ultraviolet (DUV) spectrum, specifically the 185-230 nm region. The higher photon energy of DUV light is advantageous for characterizing new materials using techniques such as angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, vital for the semiconductor industry. DUV light interacts with many chemical species of interest, including environmentally relevant species like nitric oxide and sulfur dioxide, but suitable laser sources have been lacking. Providing these sources could lead to better environmental and medical sensors. Additionally, thermal “black-body” radiation, a significant noise source in terrestrial sensors, is strongly suppressed in the DUV, making DUV-based measurement and sensor devices highly attractive.
However, creating DUV light is costly and technically challenging due to the absence of direct gain media that perform as effectively as visible lasers in the DUV. Light from visible or infrared lasers must be converted to ultraviolet, a process that is expensive and specialized. Current DUV laser systems cost around EUR 250,000, deliver about 200 mW of light, and require frequent maintenance. Additionally, optical components for the DUV are often custom-made, with variable results, hindering broader application.
The "Deep Ultraviolet Lasers for Quantum Technology" (UVQuanT) project aims to position the EU as a global leader in DUV technology by developing new, continuous wave DUV lasers with improved performance and reduced cost. Our goal is to achieve reliable DUV laser power above 200 mW at approximately 40% of the current cost, significantly reducing the device footprint and maintenance requirements. These lasers will be applied in cutting-edge research targeting future quantum technologies and quantum simulation devices, providing a springboard for further investment and development in DUV technologies within the EU.
UVQuanT combines academic and industrial expertise across Europe to accelerate innovation. Industrial partner Vexlum (Finland) will develop new infrared and visible laser sources tailored for high conversion efficiency into the DUV. Agile Optic (Germany) will ensure the conversion process is robust and efficient, while EKMSA Optic (Lithuania) will develop improved DUV optics to deliver light from the laser to the experiment. This integrated approach brings the full chain of technology innovation within the EU, enhancing the impact of our work. Academic partners in Germany, Italy, and Sweden will apply these lasers in developing next-generation atomic interferometers, atomic clocks, quantum simulation devices, and ARPES spectrometer measurements for characterizing new materials.
By addressing the current limitations of DUV laser technology and fostering collaboration between manufacturers and end-users, UVQuanT will help position the EU at the forefront of deep ultraviolet technological development, driving innovation and expanding the horizons of quantum technology research and applications.
The UVQuanT project has made significant advancements in deep ultraviolet (DUV) laser technology, supporting the European Union's Quantum Flagship initiative. Key achievements include the development of new Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) for near-infrared (NIR) and visible light, which are robust, affordable, and highly efficient. These VECSELs, already available through VEXLUM, mark a departure from complex, bulky laser systems and are set to become essential tools in quantum technology.
Building on VECSEL success, we created enhancement resonators for visible and DUV light using advanced second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum frequency generation (SFG) techniques. These efficient and robust resonators are critical for generating DUV light and are crucial for laser cooling new atomic and molecular species, paving the way for quantum technology experiments. These resonators, set for commercial release by AGILE, are undergoing final iterations to enhance stability.
Our experiments with DUV lasers and resonators have successfully laser-cooled new species, crucial for quantum simulation, sensing, and precision measurement. This success opens new possibilities in quantum technology, pushing current boundaries.
Additionally, we developed highly reflective mirrors for DUV lasers, designed to sustain high intensities, enhancing laser system performance and durability. These mirrors also address issues related to the degradation of antireflection-coated windows in vacuum environments, improving the longevity and reliability of DUV systems.
In summary, UVQuanT has developed robust VECSEL-based lasers, efficient enhancement resonators, and high-reflectivity mirrors, laying the groundwork for pioneering quantum technology experiments. Our progress promises significant impacts on next-generation quantum devices, driving innovation and expanding the potential of quantum research and applications.
Building on VECSEL success, we created enhancement resonators for visible and DUV light using advanced second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum frequency generation (SFG) techniques. These efficient and robust resonators are critical for generating DUV light and are crucial for laser cooling new atomic and molecular species, paving the way for quantum technology experiments. These resonators, set for commercial release by AGILE, are undergoing final iterations to enhance stability.
Our experiments with DUV lasers and resonators have successfully laser-cooled new species, crucial for quantum simulation, sensing, and precision measurement. This success opens new possibilities in quantum technology, pushing current boundaries.
Additionally, we developed highly reflective mirrors for DUV lasers, designed to sustain high intensities, enhancing laser system performance and durability. These mirrors also address issues related to the degradation of antireflection-coated windows in vacuum environments, improving the longevity and reliability of DUV systems.
In summary, UVQuanT has developed robust VECSEL-based lasers, efficient enhancement resonators, and high-reflectivity mirrors, laying the groundwork for pioneering quantum technology experiments. Our progress promises significant impacts on next-generation quantum devices, driving innovation and expanding the potential of quantum research and applications.
The impacts of the advancements highlighted above are significant, both within quantum technologies and beyond:
Enhanced Quantum Technologies: Developed DUV lasers will enable more accurate and portable atomic clocks.
New Applications in Science and Industry: High-power DUV lasers open up applications in:
Semiconductor Inspection: High-resolution inspection of semiconductor wafers.
Biochemical Analysis: Sensitive detection tools for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics.
Material Science: Characterization of new materials for advanced technologies.
Support for Fundamental Research: Stable DUV light facilitates groundbreaking research in quantum simulation, sensing, and precision measurement, leading to new discoveries in fundamental physics.
To ensure the uptake and success of UVQuanT's innovations, the following needs must be addressed:
Further Research and Development: Continued research to refine and enhance DUV laser technologies.
Demonstration Projects: Real-world projects to showcase the practical applications and benefits of DUV lasers.
Access to Markets and Finance: Securing funding and market access for commercialization, involving venture capital and public funding.
Commercialization and IPR Support: Robust strategies for intellectual property rights and commercialization to protect and market innovations.
Internationalization: Establishing international collaborations and partnerships to enhance global reach and impact.
The UVQuanT project has made significant progress in DUV light generation. Our advancements lay the groundwork for new applications in quantum technologies and beyond. By addressing key needs such as further research, demonstration, market access, and regulatory support, we can ensure the successful uptake and impact of these innovations. With continued effort, DUV lasers will revolutionize various scientific and industrial fields.
Enhanced Quantum Technologies: Developed DUV lasers will enable more accurate and portable atomic clocks.
New Applications in Science and Industry: High-power DUV lasers open up applications in:
Semiconductor Inspection: High-resolution inspection of semiconductor wafers.
Biochemical Analysis: Sensitive detection tools for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics.
Material Science: Characterization of new materials for advanced technologies.
Support for Fundamental Research: Stable DUV light facilitates groundbreaking research in quantum simulation, sensing, and precision measurement, leading to new discoveries in fundamental physics.
To ensure the uptake and success of UVQuanT's innovations, the following needs must be addressed:
Further Research and Development: Continued research to refine and enhance DUV laser technologies.
Demonstration Projects: Real-world projects to showcase the practical applications and benefits of DUV lasers.
Access to Markets and Finance: Securing funding and market access for commercialization, involving venture capital and public funding.
Commercialization and IPR Support: Robust strategies for intellectual property rights and commercialization to protect and market innovations.
Internationalization: Establishing international collaborations and partnerships to enhance global reach and impact.
The UVQuanT project has made significant progress in DUV light generation. Our advancements lay the groundwork for new applications in quantum technologies and beyond. By addressing key needs such as further research, demonstration, market access, and regulatory support, we can ensure the successful uptake and impact of these innovations. With continued effort, DUV lasers will revolutionize various scientific and industrial fields.