Magneto-optical trap system

Abstract

One example includes an MOT system including a first light source configured to provide multiple first light beams parallel to a central axis associated with the MOT system and a first set of optics configured to focus the multiple first light beams onto the central axis through a trapping region containing a vapor of atoms. The system also includes a second light source configured to provide multiple second light beams parallel to the central axis associated with the MOT system and a second set of optics configured to focus the multiple second light beams onto the central axis through the trapping region. Each of the multiple second light beams is coaxial with a corresponding one of the multiple first light beams, and each of the multiple first light beams counter-propagates with a corresponding one of the multiple second light beams.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to optical systems, and more particularly to magneto-optical trap (MOT) systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Atomic trapping can be utilized in a variety of systems requiring extremely accurate and stable frequencies, such as sensors, atomic clocks, and / or interferometers. As an example, atomic clocks can be used in bistatic radar systems, global positioning systems (GPS), and other navigation and positioning systems, such as satellite systems. Atomic clocks can also be used in communication systems, such as cellular telephone systems. Similarly, sensors based on atomic trapping can be highly accurate based on the optical response of atomic energy transitions. Some atom trapping systems can include magneto-optical traps (MOTs). MOTs function by trapping atoms, such as cesium (Cs) or rubidium (Rb), in an atomic trapping region. Various types of optical systems, such as those implementing optical signals, can interact with the vapor of atoms within the trapping region. Thus, various sensors and interferometers can implement MOTs to accurately determine any of a variety of measurable parameters. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One example includes an MOT system. The system includes a first light source configured to provide multiple first light beams parallel to a central axis associated with the MOT system and a first set of optics configured to focus the multiple first light beams onto the central axis through a trapping region containing a vapor of atoms. The system also includes a second light source configured to provide multiple second light beams parallel to the central axis associated with the MOT system and a second set of optics configured to focus the multiple second light beams onto the central axis through the trapping region. Each of the multiple second light beams is coaxial with a corresponding one of the multiple first light beams, and each of the multiple first light beams is counterpropagating to a corresponding one of the multiple second light beams.

[0004] Another example includes a method for trapping a vapor of atoms in a trapping region in a MOT system. The method includes providing a first light beam along a central axis associated with the MOT system via a trapping laser and splitting the first light beam into multiple first light beams parallel to the central axis via a first set of optics. The method also includes providing the multiple first light beams to the central axis through the trapping region. The method also includes reflecting the multiple first light beams to provide multiple second light beams parallel to the central axis via a second set of optics, and providing the multiple second light beams to the central axis through the trapping region via the second set of optics. Each of the multiple second light beams is coaxial with a corresponding one of the multiple first light beams, and each of the multiple first light beams counter-propagates with a corresponding one of the multiple second light beams.

[0005] Another example includes an optical system. The optical system includes a magneto-optical trap (MOT) system. The MOT system includes a first light source configured to provide at least one first light beam parallel to a central axis associated with the MOT system and a first set of optics configured to provide the at least one first light beam to the central axis through a trapping region containing the atomic vapor as a plurality of first light beams. The MOT system also includes a second light source configured to provide at least one second light beam parallel to the central axis and a second set of optics configured to provide the at least one second light beam as a plurality of second light beams through the trapping region. Each of the plurality of second light beams is coaxial with a corresponding one of the plurality of first light beams, and each of the plurality of first light beams counter-propagates with a corresponding one of the plurality of second light beams. The system further includes a photodetector system configured to receive detection light associated with the atomic vapor and a processor configured to determine a measurable parameter based on a characteristic associated with the detection light. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows an example diagram of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is another exemplary block diagram of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of an optical system. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for trapping atoms. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure relates generally to optical systems, and more specifically to magneto-optical trap (MOT) systems. The MOT system may be implemented in any of a variety of optical systems implementing atomic traps, such as sensors, atomic clocks, and / or interferometers. The MOT system includes a first light source providing at least one first light beam parallel to a central axis and a first set of optical systems. As an example, the first light beam may be provided along the central axis. The first light source may be implemented as at least one trapping laser, and the first set of optical systems may include at least one optical splitter and / or at least one lens. As an example, the first light source may include a single trapping laser providing the first light beam as a single light beam along the central axis, which is split into three first light beams by the first set of optical systems (e.g., via a set of beam splitters). The first set of optics is also configured to provide at least one first light beam as multiple light beams (e.g., three first light beams) to the central axis through a trapping region containing the vapor of atoms.

[0008] The MOT system includes a second light source providing at least one second light beam parallel to the central axis and a second set of optics. The second light source may be implemented as at least one mirror that causes the at least one second light beam to correspond to a reflected version of the at least one individual first light beam provided parallel to the central axis, and the second set of optics may include at least one lens. As an example, multiple first light beams diverging from the trapping region may be collimated via at least one lens associated with the second set of optics and provided in parallel propagation along the axis away from the trapping region. The multiple first light beams may be reflected by a mirror, and the reflected multiple first light beams may be provided back toward the trapping region as second light beams and thus refracted to converge through the trapping region via at least one lens. Thus, the multiple first light beams and multiple second light beams may be provided through the trapping region as a pair of counter-propagating light beams to facilitate atomic trapping of a vapor of atoms or atoms.

[0009] At least one lens of the second set of optics may also be configured to collimate detection light associated with the atomic vapor, such as that resulting from interrogation of the atoms (e.g., via fluorescence). The collimated detection light may then be provided along an axis away from the trapping region to an optical detection system for detection by an associated optical system. As a result, the MOT system may be implemented to provide a compact form factor optical system (e.g., a sensor, interferometer, etc.) with a simplified optical system for trapping the atomic vapor.

[0010] 1 shows an exemplary block diagram of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) system 100. The MOT system 100 can be implemented in any of a variety of optical systems, such as optical sensors, interferometers, or atomic clocks, that perform atom trapping in the MOT.

[0011] The MOT system 100 includes a first light source ("light source 1") 102 configured to generate at least one first light beam parallel to a central axis of the MOT system 100. As an example, the first light source 102 may be implemented as at least one trapping laser (e.g., a single trapping laser) disposed along the central axis. The MOT system 100 also includes a first set of optics ("optics 1") 104, which may include at least one lens. As an example, the first set of optics 104 may include a beam splitter configured to split the at least one first light beam into multiple light beams (e.g., split a single first light beam into a set of three first light beams) and refract the multiple first light beams through the trapping region 106 toward the central axis via the at least one lens. As described herein, the trapping region 106 may correspond to a volume of three-dimensional space in which a vapor of atoms (e.g., alkali metal atoms) is optically and / or magnetically confined. As described herein, a central axis extends through the MOT system 100 through the center of the trapping region 106 .

[0012] Thus, the multiple first light beams can be provided by the first set of optics 104 through the trapping region 106 to converge on a central axis within the trapping region 106. Thus, the multiple first light beams have propagation trajectories of approximately equal angles so as to converge relative to one another on the central axis approximately at the center point of the trapping region 106. For example, the multiple first light beams can be provided as a set of three first light beams that are equiangular about the central axis and converge on the central axis.

[0013] The MOT system 100 also includes a second light source 108 configured to provide at least one second light beam. As an example, the second light source 108 may be implemented as at least one mirror that causes the at least one second light beam to correspond to a reflected version of a respective one of the at least one first light beam. The MOT system 100 also includes a second set of optics 110, which may include at least one lens. As an example, the first light beam exiting the trapping region 106 in a diverging direction may be collimated via a lens(es) of the second set of optics 110 and provided in parallel propagation along an axis away from the trapping region 106.

[0014] The second set of optics 110 can also include at least one mirror such that the multiple first light beams can be reflected by the mirror(s) of the second set of optics 110 and return towards the trapping region 106 as multiple second light beams. The lens(es) of the second set of optics 110 can thus refract the multiple second light beams to converge back through the trapping region 106 at approximately equal angles along an axis through the trapping region 106. Thus, the multiple first light beams and the multiple second light beams can be provided through the trapping region 106 as a pair of counter-propagating light beams to facilitate atom trapping of the atomic vapor.

[0015] The lens(es) associated with the second set of optical systems 110 can also be configured to collimate the detection light associated with the atomic vapor within the trapping region 106. For example, in response to optical excitation of the atomic vapor, the atomic vapor can decay and emit photons (e.g., via fluorescence). The collimated detection light can then be directed axially away from the trapping region for detection of a measurable parameter. For example, the MOT system 100 can be included in an optical system that includes an optical detection system for measuring a characteristic (e.g., intensity, polarization, frequency, etc.) of the detected light. An associated processor of the optical system can then measure the measurable parameter (e.g., time, inertial parameter, etc.) based on measuring the parameter of the detected light via the optical detection system. Because MOT system 100 can be implemented in an axial configuration to provide atomic trapping, as opposed to implementing atomic trapping based on an orthogonal configuration of counter-propagating beams as provided in typical MOT systems, MOT system 100 can be provided in a more compact form factor optical system (e.g., sensor, interferometer, etc.) with simplified optics than typical MOT systems for trapping atomic vapors.

[0016] Figure 2 shows an example diagram 200 of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) system 202. The MOT system 202 may correspond to the MOT system 100 in the example of Figure 1. Accordingly, in the following description of the example of Figure 2, reference will be made to the example of Figure 1.

[0017] The MOT system 202 is shown in a simplified form in the example of FIG. 2 to illustrate the light beams passing through an associated trapping region 204. The example diagram 200 shows at least one first light beam OPT1 provided parallel to a central axis 205 to a first set of optics 206 ("optics 1"). As an example, the first light beam OPT1 can be generated from a first light source (e.g., first light source 102) configured to generate the at least one first light beam OPT1 along the central axis 205. For example, the first light beam OPT1 can be a single light beam that is split by the first set of optics 206 into multiple light beams, which in the example of FIG. 2 are shown as three first light beams generally designated 208. Thus, the first set of optics 206 refracts the three first light beams 208 (e.g., via at least one lens) to converge at an approximately central point within the trapping region 204 on the central axis 205. Thus, each of the three first light beams 208 has approximately equal vector components extending along the Y axis as given by the Cartesian coordinate system at 210 .

[0018] Similarly, diagram 200 shows at least one second light beam OPT2 provided parallel to central axis 205 to second set of optics 212 (“optics 2”). By way of example, second light beam OPT2 may be generated from a second light source (e.g., second light source 108) configured to generate at least one second light beam OPT2. For example, second light beam OPT2 may correspond to a reflected version of the three first light beams 208, and second light beam(s) OPT2 may correspond to the three second light beams OPT2. Thus, second set of optics 212 refracts (e.g., via at least one lens) the three second light beams, generally designated 214, to converge approximately to a central point within trapping region 204 on central axis 205. Like the three first light beams 208, each of the three second light beams 214 has approximately equal vector components extending along the -Y axis as given by the Cartesian coordinate system at 210.

[0019] Three first light beams 208 and three second light beams 214 may be fed through the trapping region as counter-propagating beams, such that each one of the first light beams 208 is collinear with each one of the second light beams 214. The diagram 200 shows an orthogonal view 216 of the trapping region 204 and associated light beams. The orthogonal view 216 therefore shows the trapping region 204 and light beams 208, 214 along the Y axis based on a Cartesian coordinate system 218 rotated 90 degrees. The light beams are then transmitted through the OPT 1A , OPT 1B , and OPT 1C and three first light beams 208 (solid lines) labeled OPT 2A , OPT 2B , and OPT 2C 2. The three second light beams 214 (dashed lines) are labeled as follows:

[0020] First light beam OPT 1A is the corresponding second light beam OPT 2A The first light beam OPT is shown as counter-propagating with the second light beam OPT. 1B is the corresponding second light beam OPT 2B The first optical beam OPT is shown as counter-propagating with the second optical beam OPT. 1C is the corresponding second light beam OPT 2C Thus, in the example of FIG. 2, a set of three first light beams OPT 1A , OPT 1B , and OPT 1C and a set of three second light beams OPT 2A , OPT 2B , and OPT 2C are equiangular about the central axis 205 and converge to the central axis 205, and therefore share a vertex corresponding to a convergence point at approximately the three-dimensional center of the trapping region 204 on the central axis 205.

[0021] Figure 3 shows another example block diagram of an MOT system 300. The MOT system 300 may correspond to the MOT systems 100 and 202 in the examples of Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Accordingly, the following description of the example of Figure 3 will refer to the examples of Figures 1 and 2.

[0022] The MOT system 100 includes a trapping laser 302 configured to generate a first optical beam OPT1 along a central axis 303. The MOT system 300 also includes a beam splitter 304 configured to split the first optical beam OPT1 into multiple first optical beams (e.g., three first optical beams) indicated at 306 that are parallel to the central axis 303. In the example of FIG. 3 , the multiple first optical beams 306 are shown as being collimated by the beam splitter 304, which may include lenses or other optics configured to provide the multiple first optical beams 306 as collimated beams parallel to the central axis 303.

[0023] The MOT system 300 also includes a first lens ("Lens 1") 308 configured to refract the collimated first light beams 306 through the trapping region 310. Thus, the first light beams 306 can be delivered through the trapping region 310 by the first lens 308 such that each of the first light beams 306 has approximately equal vector components along a central axis 303 extending through the trapping region 310, shown as the Y-axis in the example of FIG. 3. Thus, the first light beams 306 can have propagation trajectories of approximately equal angles about the central axis 303 such that they converge relative to one another about the central axis 303 on approximately the center point of the trapping region 310.

[0024] Thus, in the example of FIG. 3 , the multiple first light beams 306 may pass through a convergence point within the trapping region 310 and then exit the trapping region 310 with diverging trajectories relative to each other. The MOT system 300 also includes a second lens ("Lens 2") 312 configured to collimate the multiple first light beams 306 parallel to the central axis 303 (e.g., the Y-axis in the example of FIG. 3 ). The collimated multiple first light beams 306 may then be provided to a mirror system 314 including at least one mirror. The mirror system 314 then reflects the multiple first light beams 306 back to the second lens 312 as respective second light beams counter-propagating to the multiple first light beams 306. In the example of FIG. 3 , the multiple sets of counter-propagating first and second light beams are indicated by double-headed arrows 316.

[0025] Thus, the multiple second light beams may be returned to the second lens 312 to be refracted through the trapping region 310 in a counter-propagating manner relative to the multiple first light beams 306. Thus, like the multiple first light beams 306 provided by the first lens 308, each of the multiple second light beams has approximately equal vector components along the central axis 303 in the -Y axis through the trapping region 310. Thus, the multiple second light beams may have propagation trajectories of approximately equal angles such that they converge relative to one another relative to the central axis 303 on approximately the center point of the trapping region 310. Similar to the example of FIG. 2 above, in the example of a quantity of three first and second light beams, each of the first light beams 306 and the corresponding second light beams may have propagation axes that are equiangular about and converge at the central axis 303, and thus may share a vertex corresponding to a convergence point approximately at the three-dimensional center of the trapping region 310 on the central axis 303. Thus, MOT system 300 is shown as having an axial orientation along the Y axis to achieve optical trapping of the atomic vapor within trapping region 310 without implementing the bulky optics required to provide three orthogonal axes of trapping light through the trapping region, as implemented in typical MOT systems.

[0026] 4 shows an exemplary block diagram of an optical system 400. The optical system 400 can correspond to any of a variety of optical systems that implement atom trapping, such as an inertial sensor, an atomic clock, and / or an interferometer. The optical system 400 can implement the MOT systems 100, 202, or 300 described above in the respective examples of FIGS. 1-3. Accordingly, the following description of the example of FIG. 4 will refer to the examples of FIGS. 1-3.

[0027] The optical system 400 includes an MOT system 402, a photodetector system 404, and a processor 406. The MOT system 402 is configured substantially similarly to the MOT system 300 in the example of FIG. 3. Accordingly, the MOT system 402 includes a trapping laser 408, a beam splitter 410, and a first lens 412. The trapping laser 408 generates a first optical beam OPT1 along a central axis 413, which is split by the beam splitter 410 into multiple collimated first optical beams parallel to the central axis 413. The first lens 412 refracts the multiple first optical beams toward the central axis 413 so that they pass through a trapping region 414. As above, each of the multiple first optical beams has approximately equal vector components along the central axis 413 (e.g., the Y-axis) that pass through the trapping region 414. The MOT system 402 also includes a second lens 416 and a mirror system 418. The second lens 416 collimates the plurality of first light beams exiting the trapping region 414 in parallel propagation (e.g., parallel to the central axis 413), which are reflected by the mirror system 418 back to the second lens 416 as a plurality of second light beams. Thus, the second lens 416 refracts the plurality of second light beams onto the central axis 413 through the trapping region 414 in a counter-propagating manner relative to the plurality of first light beams, to provide atomic trapping of the vapor of atoms within the trapping region 414, as described herein. The counter-propagating first and second light beams are not shown between the trapping region 414 and the mirror system 418 in the example of FIG.

[0028] In the example of FIG. 4 , the vapor of atoms within the trapping region 414 can emit detection light via fluorescence. For example, the vapor of atoms can be excited by interrogation light (e.g., from an interrogation laser not shown in the example of FIG. 4 ). The excited atoms can then decay, emitting photons as fluorescence corresponding to the detection light. In the example of FIG. 4 , the detection light is emitted from the trapping region 414 in substantially all directions and is therefore shown generally at 420 as a dotted line corresponding to the emission of photons. Thus, the detection light 420 can have at least one characteristic (e.g., at least one of intensity, polarization, frequency, etc.) indicative of the state of the vapor of atoms, which can be measured to determine a measurable parameter (e.g., time, acceleration, rotation, magnetic field, electric field, etc.) related to the function of the optical system 400.

[0029] In the example of FIG. 4 , a portion of the detection light 420 incident on the second lens 416 is collimated to provide parallel propagation of the detection light 420 parallel to the central axis 413 (e.g., the Y-axis) away from the trapping region 414. The mirror system 418 may be configured (e.g., positionally) to reflect the multiple first light beams but allow at least a portion of the collimated detection light 420 to pass through the mirror system 418. Thus, the collimated detection light 420 may exit the MOT system 402 and be provided to the third lens 422. The third lens 422 may provide (e.g., focus) the detection light 420 onto the photodetector system 404. Thus, the photodetector system 404 may monitor characteristics (e.g., intensity, polarization, frequency, etc.) of the detection light 420 and provide an electrical detection signal DET to the processor 406. Thus, the processor 406 may determine a measurable parameter associated with the optical system 400 based on the detection signal DET.

[0030] Thus, the vapor of atoms within the trapping region 414 can be trapped based on the axial arrangement of the MOT system 402 in a manner that does not require three orthogonal axes of optical trapping. Furthermore, detection light emitted from the vapor of atoms can similarly be provided along the axis of the MOT system 402 for detection. As a result, based on the propagation of multiple parallel light beams and detection light along the central axis 413, the optical system 400 can be implemented in a narrow axial form factor. Thus, the optical system 400 can be provided in a compact package to save space in any of a variety of environments (e.g., aerospace applications).

[0031] With the structural and functional features described above in mind, methods according to various aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to Figure 5. For ease of explanation, the method of Figure 5 is shown and described as being performed sequentially; however, it should be understood and appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited by the illustrated order, as some aspects may be performed in an order different from that shown and described herein and / or concurrently with other aspects, in accordance with the present disclosure. Furthermore, not all illustrated features may be required to practice a method according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 for trapping a vapor of atoms in a trapping region (e.g., trapping region 106) in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) system (e.g., MOT system 100). In 502, a first optical beam (e.g., first optical beam OPT1) is provided along a central axis (e.g., central axis 303) from a trapping laser (e.g., trapping laser 302). In 504, the first optical beam is split into multiple first optical beams (e.g., first optical beam 306) parallel to the central axis via a first set of optics (e.g., first set of optics 104). In 506, the multiple first optical beams are provided along the central axis through the trapping region. Each of the first optical beams can have approximately equal vector components along a central axis (e.g., Y-axis) extending through the trapping region. In 508, multiple second optical beams (e.g., second optical beam OPT1) parallel to the central axis are provided. 2A , OPT 2B , OPT 2C At 510, the plurality of first light beams are reflected through a second set of optics (e.g., second set of optics 110) to provide a plurality of second light beams. At 510, the plurality of second light beams are provided through the second set of optics to a central axis through the trapping region. Each of the plurality of second light beams is coaxial with a corresponding one of the plurality of first light beams, such that each of the plurality of first light beams counter-propagates with a corresponding one of the plurality of second light beams.

[0033] The foregoing is an example of the present disclosure. Of course, for purposes of describing the present disclosure, it is not possible to describe every conceivable component or method, but one skilled in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present disclosure are possible. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to encompass all such changes, modifications, and variations that are within the scope of this application, including the appended claims.

Claims

1. A magneto-optical trap (hereinafter referred to as MOT) system, comprising: a first light source configured to provide a plurality of first light beams parallel to a central axis associated with the MOT system; a first set of optics configured to focus the plurality of first light beams onto the central axis through a trapping region containing a vapor of atoms; a second light source configured to provide a plurality of second light beams parallel to the central axis associated with the MOT system; a second set of optical systems configured to focus the plurality of second optical beams onto the central axis through the trapping region, wherein each of the plurality of second optical beams is coaxial with a corresponding one of the plurality of first optical beams and each of the plurality of first optical beams counter-propagates with a corresponding one of the plurality of second optical beams.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first light beams are arranged as a set of three first light beams having propagation axes that are equiangular about the central axis, the propagation axes of the three first light beams converging at approximately a center point of the trapping region on the central axis, and the plurality of second light beams are arranged as a set of three second light beams having propagation axes that are equiangular about the central axis, the propagation axes of the three second light beams converging at approximately a center point of the trapping region on the central axis.

3. The first light source is a trapping laser configured to generate a single beam of light along the central axis; a beam splitter configured to split the single first light beam into the plurality of first light beams.

4. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second light source includes a set of mirrors for providing the second light beams as reflected versions of respective ones of the first light beams.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first set of optics includes a lens configured to refract the plurality of first light beams from a collimated state along an axis extending through the trapping region to respective directions that converge toward one another relative to the central axis.

6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second set of optics includes a second lens configured to collimate the plurality of first light beams exiting the trapping region from respective directions diverging relative to one another to respective parallel propagation from the trapping region.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the second light source is arranged as a set of mirrors to provide the plurality of second light beams as reflected versions of the plurality of collimated first light beams.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the second lens is further configured to refract the plurality of collimated second light beams in respective directions that converge relative to one another relative to the central axis.

9. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second lens is further configured to collimate detected light associated with the vapor of atoms in the trapping region parallel to the central axis, the detected light being collimated by the second lens into separate parallel propagations along the central axis from the trapping region, and the second set of optics includes a third lens configured to provide the detected light from the parallel propagations along the central axis to a photodetector system for determining a measurable parameter via a processor based on a characteristic associated with the detected light.

10. 10. An optical system comprising the MOT system of claim 1, a processor; a photodetector system; an optical system, wherein the second set of optics includes a lens configured to refract detection light associated with the vapor of atoms in the trapping region, the detection light being collimated by the lens into separate parallel propagation along an axis from the trapping region, and the second set of optics includes another lens configured to provide the detection light to the photodetector system for determining a measurable parameter via the processor based on a characteristic associated with the detection light.

11. 1. A method for trapping a vapor of atoms in a trapping region in a magneto-optical trap (hereinafter MOT) system, comprising: providing a first light beam along a central axis associated with the MOT system via a trapping laser; splitting the first light beam into a plurality of first light beams parallel to the central axis via a first set of optics; providing the plurality of first light beams through the trapping region to the central axis; reflecting the plurality of first light beams through a second set of optics to provide a plurality of second light beams parallel to the central axis associated with the MOT system; providing the plurality of second light beams through the trapping region to the central axis via the second set of optics, wherein each of the plurality of second light beams is coaxial with a corresponding one of the plurality of first light beams and each of the plurality of first light beams counter-propagates with a corresponding one of the plurality of second light beams.

12. 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein splitting the first light beam comprises splitting the first light beam into a set of three first light beams, and wherein providing the plurality of first light beams through the trapping region comprises providing the three first light beams to have respective axes of propagation that are equiangular about the central axis, the propagation axes of the three first light beams converging at approximately a center point of the trapping region on the central axis.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the plurality of second light beams through the trapping region comprises providing the plurality of second light beams through the trapping region as a set of three second light beams having propagation axes that are equiangular about the central axis, the propagation axes of the three second light beams converging at approximately a center point of the trapping region on the central axis.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein splitting the first light beam comprises splitting the first light beam into three first light beams collimated along an axis extending through the trapping region via a lens associated with the first set of optical systems, the method further comprising collimating the plurality of first light beams exiting the trapping region from respective directions diverging relative to one another to respective parallel propagation from the trapping region via a lens associated with the second set of optical systems.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: collimating detected light associated with a vapor of atoms in the trapping region via the lens associated with the second set of optics into a separate, parallel propagation along an axis from the trapping region; and providing the collimated detected light via the lens to detection electronics for determining a measurable parameter based on a property associated with the detected light.

16. 1. An optical system comprising: A magneto-optical trap (hereinafter referred to as MOT) system, comprising: a first light source configured to provide at least one first light beam parallel to a central axis associated with the MOT system; a first set of optics configured to deliver the at least one first light beam as a plurality of first light beams to the central axis through a trapping region containing a vapor of atoms; a second light source configured to provide at least one second light beam parallel to the central axis associated with the MOT system; the MOT system including: a second set of optical systems configured to provide the at least one second optical beam through the trapping region as a plurality of second optical beams, each second optical beam being coaxial with a corresponding one of the plurality of first optical beams and each first optical beam being counter-propagating with a corresponding one of the plurality of second optical beams; a photodetector system configured to receive detection light associated with the vapor of atoms; a processor configured to determine a measurable parameter based on a characteristic associated with the detected light.

17. 17. The optical system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of first light beams are arranged as a set of three first light beams having propagation axes that are equiangular about the central axis, the propagation axes of the three first light beams converging at approximately a center point of the trapping region on the central axis, and the plurality of second light beams are arranged as a set of three second light beams having propagation axes that are equiangular about the central axis, the propagation axes of the three second light beams converging at approximately a center point of the trapping region on the central axis.

18. 17. The optical system of claim 16, wherein the first light source is arranged as a trapping laser configured to generate the at least one first light beam as a single first light beam, the first set of optics is configured to split the single first light beam into the plurality of first light beams, and the second light source is arranged as a set of mirrors to provide a plurality of second light beams as reflected versions of each of the plurality of first light beams.

19. 17. The optical system of claim 16, wherein the first set of optics includes a lens configured to refract the plurality of first light beams from collimated along an axis extending through the trapping region to respective directions converging relative to one another relative to the central axis, and the second set of optics includes a second lens configured to collimate the plurality of first light beams exiting the trapping region from respective directions diverging relative to one another to respective parallel propagation from the trapping region.

20. 20. The optical system of claim 19, wherein the second light source is arranged as a set of mirrors to provide the plurality of second light beams as reflected versions of individual collimated first light beams, and the second lens is further configured to refract the plurality of collimated second light beams through the trapping region in respective directions that converge relative to one another relative to the central axis.

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