Design advances on the dual species cold atom based pressure standard

This article summarizes the current design status of a dual species quantum vacuum sensor (QVAC), based on laser cooled rubidium (Rb) and potassium (K) atoms, developed by the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) in cooperation with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and supported by the University of British Columbia (UBC). Aiming for a system that is competitive in price, small and easy to operate, the magnetic system, the vacuum system and the operating software are identified as critical subsystems. This paper will describe the preliminary design of these subsystems including a summary of the subsystem specific requirements. Furthermore, different approaches for the software are evaluated.