Note: A compact low-vibration high-performance optical shutter for precision measurement experiments.

ABSTRACT

The optical shutter is an important component for atom-interferometry-based precision measurements. To decrease its vibration noise and improve its performance, we present a compact design with a direct current motor and a photodetector inserted in a compact aluminum structure. The photodetector in the blade is driven by the motor to move either in or out of the way of the laser beam. This design can suppress laser intensity fluctuation down to 0.26% over 6 h in the method of sample and hold proportional-integral-derivative feedback. It is also quiet via an electrical braking process which not only reduces its vibration noise by an order of magnitude but also quickens and stabilizes its switching performance. The shutter has a switching time of 0.8 ms and an activation delay of 8 ms with low jitters. Besides, the shutter can work for over ten million cycles normally and reliably.