This software implements digital control of a WGM resonator temperature based on the dual-mode approach. It comprises one acquisition and three modules. Interaction proportional-integral loops is designed in original way preventing from fighting. Data processing organized parallel with which allows computational overhead time to be suppressed or often completely avoided.
WGM resonators potentially provide excellent optical references for metrology, clocks, spectroscopy, and other applications. However, extremely accurate (below micro-Kelvin) temperature stabilization is required. This software allows one specifically advantageous method of such stabilization to be implemented, which is immune to a variety of effects that mask the temperature variation.
WGM Temperature Tracker 2.3 (see figure) is a LabVIEW code developed for dual-mode temperature stabilization of WGM resonators. It has allowed for the temperature stabilization at the level of 200 nK with onesecond integration time, and 6 nK with 10,000-second integration time, with the above room-temperature set point.
This software, in conjunction with the appropriate hardware, can be used as a noncryogenic temperature sensor/controller with sub-micro- Kelvin sensitivity, which at the time of this reporting considerably outperforms the state of the art.
This work was done by Dmitry V. Strekalov of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
WGM Temperature Tracker
(reference NPO-48306) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The WGM Temperature Tracker Technical Support Package, developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), outlines a sophisticated system for dual-mode temperature stabilization of Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) resonators. This software, known as WGM Temperature Tracker 2.3, operates within a LabVIEW environment and is designed to achieve high precision in temperature control, stabilizing temperatures to within 200 nK over one second and 6 nK over 10,000 seconds.
The system employs a control loop mechanism that adjusts the DC offset of a voltage ramp to maintain resonance alignment during laser frequency sweeps. It features both slow and fast feedback loops, which are crucial for temperature control. The slow loop adjusts the voltage to a resistive heater, while the fast loop modulates the test laser power, which also generates a minor heating effect. The algorithms governing these loops are a key innovation of the software, allowing for effective temperature stabilization even in the presence of environmental disturbances.
The Tracker's performance is enhanced by its ability to analyze data in real-time, utilizing a peak-fitting algorithm to determine temperature variations based on the frequency difference of Lorentz-shaped peaks in optical transmission signals. The software can handle data traces of up to 10,000 points, providing detailed insights into the system's thermal behavior.
The user interface is designed for ease of use, featuring color-coded blocks for timing parameters, scan configuration, channel parameters, and temperature control settings. Users can set sweep times and data rates, and activate tracking functions with simple button presses.
The document also references the underlying physical principles of the technology, which are detailed in related publications and a US patent (7665891) issued in 2010. The WGM Temperature Tracker represents a significant advancement in temperature stabilization technology, with potential applications in various scientific and commercial fields.
For further inquiries or assistance, the document provides contact information for JPL's Innovative Technology Assets Management office. Overall, the WGM Temperature Tracker is a cutting-edge tool that exemplifies the intersection of aerospace technology and precision measurement.
