Transparent electrodes for high E-field production using a buried indium tin oxide layer.

Area of Science:

• Atomic and molecular physics
• Materials science
• Electrical engineering

Background:

• High optical access is crucial for atomic and molecular physics experiments.
• Conventional electrodes often suffer electrical breakdown, limiting experimental capabilities.
• Transparent electrodes are needed to apply electric fields without obstructing optical access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize optically transparent electrodes for atomic and molecular physics.
• To achieve high electric fields within vacuum cells without electrical breakdown.
• To investigate electric field generation, shielding, and residual fields in vacuum cells.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a novel electrode design using indium tin oxide coated dielectric substrates within a dielectric stack.
• Testing electrode performance in air at atmospheric pressure, assessing breakdown voltage.
• Spectroscopic measurement of the dc Stark shift of rubidium atoms in a vacuum cell to verify electric field strength.
• Measurement of electric field shielding and residual fields within the vacuum cell.

Main Results:

• Electrodes operated without electrical breakdown at fields up to 120 kV/cm.
• Verified electric fields up to 18 kV/cm inside a quartz vacuum cell using spectroscopic methods.
• Observed electric field shielding and residual fields within the vacuum cell.
• Identified atom loss due to free charge motion, suggesting field emission as a primary cause.

Conclusions:

• The novel transparent electrode design enables high electric fields for atomic physics experiments.
• The design effectively prevents electrical breakdown, surpassing air's dielectric limits.
• Field emission of electrons is a significant factor in observed charge dynamics and atom loss within the vacuum cell.