This PhD project focuses on the development of ultra-stable deep-UV laser systems tailored for laser cooling and precision spectroscopy of neutral cadmium (Cd)—a promising platform for next-generation optical clocks. Cd offers significant advantages over other clock candidates like strontium and ytterbium due to its low black-body radiation (BBR) shift, enabling higher accuracy and reduced thermal sensitivity in practical systems.
Key Aims and Objectives:
-
Laser Development
- Design and build compact, narrow-linewidth UV lasers at 326 nm (for cooling) and 332 nm (for clock spectroscopy) using intra-cavity second harmonic generation (SHG).
- Target sub-kHz linewidths, low frequency noise, and robust DUV optics handling.
-
Noise Characterisation and Suppression
- Measure and model intensity, frequency, and phase noise.
- Explore nonlinear conversion dynamics and UV-induced degradation.
- Investigate squeezed light injection for further noise suppression.
-
Application Experiments
- Collaborate with Imperial College London to perform narrow-line laser cooling at 326 nm.
- Conduct precision spectroscopy on the 332 nm 1S₀–³P₀ clock transition in Cd.
Expected Outcomes:
- Demonstration of compact, low-noise UV laser sources suitable for Cd-based optical clocks.
- Experimental validation of narrow-line cooling and clock transition spectroscopy.
- Publications in laser physics, nonlinear optics, and quantum metrology.
- Contributions to the development of deployable optical clocks for Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) applications.
The project is conducted in collaboration with Fraunhofer CAP and Imperial College London, offering a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of laser engineering, quantum optics, and precision measurement.