Open AccessLifetime assessment of RbN_3-filled MEMS atomic vapor cells with Al_2O_3 coating
Author(s) -
Sylvain Karlen,
J. Gobet,
T. Overstolz,
Jacques Haesler,
Steve Lecomte
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.002187
Subject(s) - rubidium , materials science , microelectromechanical systems , wafer , miniaturization , coating , atomic clock , fabrication , alkali metal , optoelectronics , optics , nanotechnology , chemistry , medicine , physics , alternative medicine , potassium , organic chemistry , pathology , metallurgy
Micro-fabricated (MEMS) alkali vapor cells are at the heart of the miniaturization of atomic devices such as atomic magnetometers, atomic gyroscopes and atomic clocks. Among the different techniques used to fill microfabricated alkali vapor cell, UV decomposition of rubidium azide (RbN 3 ) into metallic Rb and nitrogen in Al 2 O 3 coated cells is a very promising approach for low-cost wafer-level fabrication. Here we present a detailed lifetime study of such cells. The rubidium consumption being the main identified cell failure mode, it is monitored with an novel image analysis technique and with high temperature long term aging tests.