Lab book samples

1. Lab book samples What goes in the lab book -- everything

2. Lab books -- summary Lab book is key to organization • Complex experiments: • 1 day to take data • 1 day to analyze and update lab book What goes in a lab book -- everything you need to reproduce results • Crude diagrams of experiment, circuit schematics, etc • Pin-outs and data sheets for opto-electronic components • Raw data -- • ex: as read off voltmeter or scope • copy of data traces (chart recorder trace, scope photo, computer image file) • Processed data -- after computer fits, smoothing, etc • Equations and relevant theory • Narrative in your own words -- what was done, why, and what were results

3. Sample 1 -- Laser intensity servo • Similar to upcoming proficiency demo • Crude circuit diagrams • Note -- Pasted in sheets okay Optical setup Circuit schematic

4. Effect of intensity servo on experiment Noise measurement Compare to shot noise theory • Attempt to reach shot noise in atomic clock experiment

5. Microwave amplifier • Narrative and parts list • includes manufacturer • Similar to proficiency demo • Describes hand-wound transformers, hand-tuned band-pass filters Circuit schematic

6. Problem with air conditioner • Reduce noise • silencers • box w/ lead-backed acoustic foam • note manufacturer info • Characterize noise • find dominant frequency • Air conditioner compressor generates acoustic noise • Causes laser frequency jitter

7. Constant-current supply for magnet control • Special resistors • specification sheet Narrative & schematic • Magnetic fields have strong effect on atomic clocks • Inside shielding -- bias field must be stable

8. More on constant-current supply Op ampspecification sheets • Textbook page • includes reference • Page from text book describing theory • Op amp specification sheets w/ pinout

9. Conversion efficiency of AOM • Measure optical conversion efficiency of acousto optic modulator/ shifter (AOM) • Relevant for proficiency demo • Raw data • read off power meter Narrative & optical setup

10. Enhance conversion efficiency of AOM • Add telescope to provide optimum beam size

11. Construct frequency multiplication chain • Use commercial components • Measure power losses at each step • Similar to proficiency demo

12. More raw data from microwave power measurement • Use as much space as needed

13. Microwave cable length effects

14. Dye laser power problems • Can effect any laser • Dye laser optics tend to be more exposed

15. Fiber optic temperature study • Fiber optic used as spatial filter/ precision beam combiner • Like single mode waveguide • Very pure spatial mode -- excellent mode matching for two beams • Problem: fiber temperature effects clock frequency • Hypothesis: polarization mismatch causes slight mode mismatch • Polarization maintaining fiber

16. Refine fiber polarization study • Special experimental setup to measure residual polarization vs. fiber temperature • Effect small, but for clocks -- everything important

18. Magnetic field effects • Analyze data from full-day experiment

19. Dye laser problems • Must re-align system • ~ 100 optical elements -- use irises • Complex alignment procedure -- must write down

20. More on alignmentAtomic beam problems • Everything breaks down sooner or later Atomic beam flux vs temperature More alignment notes

21. Finally finish the magnetic field study • Summarize data traces from previous day