Abstract: In some examples, a controller is configured to generate a key based on a physics-based output of a component. The controller may, for example, use the key to authenticate communication between at least two nodes, to encrypt data, or to decrypt data. In some examples, the component includes one or more subcomponents, each subcomponent including a cell filled with a gas, a light source configured to transmit a light through the gas cell, and a photodetector configured to sense light transmitted through the gas cell. The photodetector of each subcomponent is configured to generate an electrical signal that changes as a function of one or more properties of the light sourced by the light source, transmitted through the gas cell. The output of the component can is based on the signals generate by the one or more photodetectors.

Abstract: In some examples, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical accelerometer includes a housing comprising an internal chamber that includes a Fabry-Perot cavity and a proof mass affixed to the housing via one or more elastic elements, a light source configured to emit radiation, a first detector configured to receive radiation transmitted through the Fabry-Perot cavity and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a position of the proof mass. The MEMS optical accelerometer further comprises an atomic wavelength reference and a second detector configured to detect radiation transmitted through the atomic wavelength reference and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a wavelength of the radiation emitted by the light source, and a servomechanism electrically coupled to the second photo detector and the light source, configured to adjust the light source to maintain the radiation emitted by the light source at approximately a selected wavelength.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a wafer scale atomic clock are provided. In at least one embodiment, a wafer scale device comprises a first substrate; a cell layer joined to the first substrate, the cell layer comprising a plurality of hermetically isolated cells, wherein separate measurements are produced for each cell in the plurality of hermetically isolated cells; and a second substrate joined to the cell layer, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate comprise electronics to control the separate measurements, wherein the separate measurements are combined into a single measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an optically dithered atomic gyro-compass are provided. In one embodiment, an inertial sensor comprises: a vacuum chamber containing a cloud of laser cooled alkali atoms, wherein the atoms are free to fall under the influence of gravity; a first set of laser sources applying a first set of laser beams into the cloud along a first axis; a second set of laser sources applying a second set of laser beams into the cloud along a second axis; wherein the first set and second sets of laser beams apply coherent laser pulses that separate a wave function of the atoms along trajectories defining a plane sensitive to rotation about an axis orthogonal to the plane; and wherein the first and second set of laser sources apply dithering to the axis by modulating a relative magnitude of the first laser beams with respect to the second laser beams.

Abstract: In an example, a chip-scale atomic clock physics package is provided. The physics package includes a body defining a cavity having a base surface and one or more side walls. The cavity includes a first step surface and a second step surface defined in the one or more side walls. A first scaffold mounted to the base surface in the cavity. One or more spacers defining an aperture therethrough are mounted to the second step surface in the cavity. A second scaffold is mounted to a first surface of the one or more spacers spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. A third scaffold is mounted to a second surface of the one or more spacers in the cavity and spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. Other components of the physics package are mounted to the first, second, and third scaffold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a chip scale atomic sensor is provided. The chip scale atomic sensor includes a body that defines at least one sensing chamber. The body includes a thermal isolation die mounted to the body. The thermal isolation die is disposed in a location that communicates with the at least one sensing chamber. The thermal isolation die includes a substrate defining a frame portion and an isolated portion and a plurality of tethers mechanically coupling the isolated portion of the substrate to the frame portion. The thermal isolation die also includes an atomic source mounted on the isolated portion of the substrate, and a heating element mounted on the isolated portion and configured to heat the atomic source.

Abstract: In some examples, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical accelerometer includes a housing comprising an internal chamber that includes a Fabry-Perot cavity and a proof mass affixed to the housing via one or more elastic elements, a light source configured to emit radiation, a first detector configured to receive radiation transmitted through the Fabry-Perot cavity and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a position of the proof mass. The MEMS optical accelerometer further comprises an atomic wavelength reference and a second detector configured to detect radiation transmitted through the atomic wavelength reference and configured to generate one or more signals that indicate a wavelength of the radiation emitted by the light source, and a servomechanism electrically coupled to the second photo detector and the light source, configured to adjust the light source to maintain the radiation emitted by the light source at approximately a selected wavelength.

Abstract: In some examples, a controller is configured to generate a key based on a physics-based output of a component. The controller may, for example, use the key to authenticate communication between at least two nodes, to encrypt data, or to decrypt data. In some examples, the component includes one or more subcomponents, each subcomponent including a cell filled with a gas, a light source configured to transmit a light through the gas cell, and a photodetector configured to sense light transmitted through the gas cell. The photodetector of each subcomponent is configured to generate an electrical signal that changes as a function of one or more properties of the light sourced by the light source, transmitted through the gas cell. The output of the component can is based on the signals generate by the one or more photodetectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for inertial sensing is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one atomic inertial sensor, and one or more micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors operatively coupled to the atomic inertial sensor. The atomic inertial sensor and the MEMS inertial sensors operatively communicate with each other in a closed feedback loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a wafer scale atomic clock are provided. In at least one embodiment, a wafer scale device comprises a first substrate; a cell layer joined to the first substrate, the cell layer comprising a plurality of hermetically isolated cells, wherein separate measurements are produced for each cell in the plurality of hermetically isolated cells; and a second substrate joined to the cell layer, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate comprise electronics to control the separate measurements, wherein the separate measurements are combined into a single measurement.

Abstract: An inertial sensing system comprises a first multi-axis atomic inertial sensor, a second multi-axis atomic inertial sensor, and an optical multiplexer optically coupled to the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors. The optical multiplexer is configured to sequentially direct light along different axes of the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors. A plurality of micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors is in operative communication with the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors. Output signals from the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors aid in correcting errors produced by the MEMS inertial sensors by sequentially updating output signals from the MEMS inertial sensors.

Abstract: A magnetic field coil arrangement for a magneto-optical trap comprises a first transparent substrate having a first surface, a second transparent substrate having a second surface opposite from the first surface, one or more side walls coupled between the first and second transparent substrates, a first set of magnetic field coils on the first surface of the first transparent substrate, and a second set of magnetic field coils on the second surface of the second transparent substrate. The second set of magnetic field coils in an offset alignment with the first set of magnetic field coils. The first and second sets of magnetic field coils are configured to produce a magnetic field distribution that mimics a quadrupole magnetic field distribution in a central location between the first and second transparent substrates.

Abstract: System and methods for a vacuum cell apparatus for an atomic sensor are provided. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cell wall encircling an enclosed volume, the cell wall having a first open end and a second open end opposite from the first open end and a first panel over the first open end of the cell wall and having a first surface, the first surface facing the enclosed volume and having a first set of diffractive optics therein. Further, the apparatus comprises a second panel over the second open end of the cell wall and having a second surface, the second surface facing the enclosed volume and having a second set of diffractive optics therein; wherein the first set of diffractive optics and the second of diffractive optics are configured to reflect at least one optical beam within the enclosed volume along a predetermined optical path.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vibratory structure gyroscope is provided herein. An annular cavity is formed in a first surface of a substrate, the annular cavity defining an anchor post located in a central portion of the annular cavity. A bubble layer is formed over the first surface of the substrate and over the annular cavity. The substrate and the bubble layer are heated to form a hemitoroidal bubble in the bubble layer over the annular cavity. A sacrificial layer is deposited over the hemitoroidal bubble of the bubble layer and an aperture is formed in the sacrificial layer, the aperture disposed over the anchor post in the annular cavity. A resonator layer is deposited over the sacrificial layer and the sacrificial layer between the bubble layer and the resonator layer is removed.

Abstract: In an example, a chip-scale atomic clock physics package is provided. The physics package includes a body defining a cavity having a base surface and one or more side walls. The cavity includes a first step surface and a second step surface defined in the one or more side walls. A first scaffold mounted to the base surface in the cavity. One or more spacers defining an aperture therethrough are mounted to the second step surface in the cavity. A second scaffold is mounted to a first surface of the one or more spacers spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. A third scaffold is mounted to a second surface of the one or more spacers in the cavity and spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. Other components of the physics package are mounted to the first, second, and third scaffold.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to a vibratory structure gyroscope having a substrate having a top surface. The vibratory structure gyroscope can also include a resonator having a hemitoroidal shape, the resonator including a stem and an outer lip that surrounds the stem, the stem attached to the top surface of the substrate and the outer lip located apart from the top surface to allow the resonator to vibrate.

Abstract: System and methods for a vacuum cell apparatus for an atomic sensor are provided. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cell wall encircling an enclosed volume, the cell wall having a first open end and a second open end opposite from the first open end and a first panel over the first open end of the cell wall and having a first surface, the first surface facing the enclosed volume and having a first set of diffractive optics therein. Further, the apparatus comprises a second panel over the second open end of the cell wall and having a second surface, the second surface facing the enclosed volume and having a second set of diffractive optics therein; wherein the first set of diffractive optics and the second of diffractive optics are configured to reflect at least one optical beam within the enclosed volume along a predetermined optical path.

Abstract: An inertial sensing system comprises a first multi-axis atomic inertial sensor, a second multi-axis atomic inertial sensor, and an optical multiplexer optically coupled to the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors. The optical multiplexer is configured to sequentially direct light along different axes of the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors. A plurality of micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors is in operative communication with the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors. Output signals from the first and second multi-axis atomic inertial sensors aid in correcting errors produced by the MEMS inertial sensors by sequentially updating output signals from the MEMS inertial sensors.

Abstract: In an example, a chip-scale atomic clock physics package is provided. This chip-scale atomic clock physics package includes a body defining a cavity, and a first scaffold mounted in the cavity. A laser is mounted on the first surface of the first scaffold. A second scaffold is also mounted in the cavity. The second scaffold is disposed such that the first surface of the second scaffold is facing the first scaffold. A first photodetector is mounted on the first surface of the second scaffold. A vapor cell is mounted on the first surface of the second scaffold. A waveplate is also included, wherein the laser, waveplate, first photodetector, and vapor cell are disposed such that a beam from the laser can propagate through the waveplate and the vapor cell and be detected by the first photodetector. A lid is also included for covering the cavity.

Abstract: An atom-based accelerometer for measuring acceleration or gravity with an interaction region less than a millimeter in size. An exemplary device includes a magnetic double-well trap produced on a chip. Creation and dissolution of the double-well trap is provided by interaction between an ac magnetic field and a radio frequency (rf) magnetic field produced by traces on the chip.