NIST researchers have developed a photonic chip that can transform a single incoming laser beam into multiple beams with different properties. The chip, made of a thin layer of tantalum pentoxide, can generate multiple beams with various phases, polarizations, directions, and divergences. This technology could revolutionize atomic clocks and quantum computing by allowing miniaturization and portability.
The photonic chip works by splitting a single beam into two parts, then altering their properties using the Swiss-cheese-like structure of the tantalum pentoxide layer. This allows the generation of multiple beams with different characteristics from a single input beam. The device could eventually eliminate the need for bulky optics, enabling more compact and portable atomic clocks and other quantum-based technologies.
The research team, which includes scientists from Stanford University, the University of Colorado, and Octave Photonics, has published their findings in the journal Optica. The technology has the potential to generate a virtually unlimited number of closely-spaced light beams at various visible-light colors, opening up new possibilities in quantum computing and atomic clock technology.
Keywords: Photonic, Tantalum pentoxide, Atomic clocks, Laser beams, Optical properties
