Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SLAQ (Pre-commercialization of stable and compact lasers for atom based quantum technologies)
Reporting period: 2020-05-01 to 2022-04-30
In the project, a new design for extended cavity diode lasers has been developed. The laser is specifically designed to improve the frequency stability and suppress the effects of mechanical hysteresis that affect many commercial devices. The project aimed at consolidating the technical advancement and realize the fundamental basis for the commercialization of the new laser. With respect to the technical advancement, a series of measurements were performed in the laboratory with prototypal devices, and the results were published in one scientific article (L. Duca, E. Perego, F. Berto, C. Sias, Optics Letters 46, 2840 (2021)), and presented at a technical conference (Photonics Europe 2022). Crucially, a strong attention was paid to the IPR: during the project the Italian patent was acquired (patent no. 102019000002013), and its extension to Europe, USA, Japan and China is currently ongoing. With respect to a possible commercialization, the laser design was presented to a number of companies in France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, both at scientific events and with emails/remote presentations, and potential new collaborations have been established. Moreover, the results of the project are promoted in a dedicated web page (URL: https://www.knowledge-share.eu/en/patent/compact-robust-and-inexpensive-monochromatic-laser ) and in printed leaflets.