Imaging of relaxation times and microwave field strength in a microfabricated vapor cell

We present a new characterisation technique for atomic vapor cells, combining time-domain measurements with absorption imaging to obtain spatially resolved information on decay times, atomic diffusion and coherent dynamics. The technique is used to characterise a 5 mm diameter, 2 mm thick microfabricated Rb vapor cell, with N2 buffer gas, placed inside a microwave cavity. Time-domain Franzen and Ramsey measurements are used to produce high-resolution images of the population (T1) and coherence (T2) lifetimes in the cell, while Rabi measurements yield images of the σ−, π and σ+ components of the applied microwave magnetic field. For a cell temperature of 90∘C, the T1 times across the cell centre are found to be a roughly uniform 265μs, while the T2 times peak at around 350μs. We observe a `skin' of reduced T1 and T2 times around the edge of the cell due to the depolarisation of Rb after collisions with the silicon cell walls. Our observations suggest that these collisions are far from being 100% depolarising, consistent with earlier observations made with Na and glass walls. Images of the microwave magnetic field reveal regions of optimal field homogeneity, and thus coherence. Our technique is useful for vapor cell characterisation in atomic clocks, atomic sensors, and quantum information experiments.