Ultra-precision diamond grinding of vapour cells in silicon for quantum technology
Ultra-precision diamond grinding of vapour cells in silicon for quantum technology
We present the use of computer numerical control (CNC) diamond machining with an ultra-precision milling/grinding system to manufacture alkali vapour cells at wafer-scale for quantum technologies. Fabricated cells were loaded with rubidium, bonded under vacuum, and tested in an absorption spectroscopy setup. The results are comparable to similar cells produced via chemical wet etching. Compared to a cleanroom-based chemical etching process, CNC machining can offer a cheaper, more environmentally sustainable route to manufacture of these devices. It also enables rapid prototyping and adjustments to design, whilst simultaneously allowing for scaling to volume production.
Gow, Paul C.
193394b1-fe2d-41de-a9aa-6de7e5925b18
Churchill, Glenn M.
5933a331-fba3-444b-8352-273112c3d6a6
Thomas, Jack W.
d9101a79-3eec-4942-a63e-2b7e41e2e80b
Steele, Ben David George
61984ffc-cde9-4fed-b97c-f83cf71dbe8a
Quick, Greg
78adbbff-8f2f-45d1-8121-9f74cd1cfd34
Elvin, Rachel
f702d476-25f5-49bb-9329-ea0e687f1f5f
McKnight, Loyd J.
6ab31a8f-2896-495e-ae35-5a5353ccefa1
Gawith, Corin B.E.
926665c0-84c7-4a1d-ae19-ee6d7d14c43e
Gates, James C.
b71e31a1-8caa-477e-8556-b64f6cae0dc2
Gow, Paul C.
193394b1-fe2d-41de-a9aa-6de7e5925b18
Churchill, Glenn M.
5933a331-fba3-444b-8352-273112c3d6a6
Thomas, Jack W.
d9101a79-3eec-4942-a63e-2b7e41e2e80b
Steele, Ben David George
61984ffc-cde9-4fed-b97c-f83cf71dbe8a
Quick, Greg
78adbbff-8f2f-45d1-8121-9f74cd1cfd34
Elvin, Rachel
f702d476-25f5-49bb-9329-ea0e687f1f5f
McKnight, Loyd J.
6ab31a8f-2896-495e-ae35-5a5353ccefa1
Gawith, Corin B.E.
926665c0-84c7-4a1d-ae19-ee6d7d14c43e
Gates, James C.
b71e31a1-8caa-477e-8556-b64f6cae0dc2
Gow, Paul C., Churchill, Glenn M., Thomas, Jack W., Steele, Ben David George, Quick, Greg, Elvin, Rachel, McKnight, Loyd J., Gawith, Corin B.E. and Gates, James C.
(2026)
Ultra-precision diamond grinding of vapour cells in silicon for quantum technology.
Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering.
(doi:10.1088/1361-6439/ae3621).
Abstract
We present the use of computer numerical control (CNC) diamond machining with an ultra-precision milling/grinding system to manufacture alkali vapour cells at wafer-scale for quantum technologies. Fabricated cells were loaded with rubidium, bonded under vacuum, and tested in an absorption spectroscopy setup. The results are comparable to similar cells produced via chemical wet etching. Compared to a cleanroom-based chemical etching process, CNC machining can offer a cheaper, more environmentally sustainable route to manufacture of these devices. It also enables rapid prototyping and adjustments to design, whilst simultaneously allowing for scaling to volume production.
Text
Gow+et+al_2026_J._Micromech._Microeng._10.1088_1361-6439_ae3621
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Submitted date: 12 November 2025
Accepted/In Press date: 9 January 2026
e-pub ahead of print date: 9 January 2026
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 508036
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508036
ISSN: 1361-6439
PURE UUID: 9f6fc4ae-37d6-4754-9058-824c51bac5ee
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 12 Jan 2026 17:40
Last modified: 13 Jan 2026 02:50
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Paul C. Gow
Author:
Glenn M. Churchill
Author:
Jack W. Thomas
Author:
Ben David George Steele
Author:
Greg Quick
Author:
Rachel Elvin
Author:
Loyd J. McKnight
Author:
Corin B.E. Gawith
Author:
James C. Gates
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics