System and methods for a vacuum cell apparatus for an atomic sensor are provided. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cell wall encircling an enclosed volume, the cell wall having a first open end and a second open end opposite from the first open end and a first panel over the first open end of the cell wall and having a first surface, the first surface facing the enclosed volume and having a first set of diffractive optics therein. Further, the apparatus comprises a second panel over the second open end of the cell wall and having a second surface, the second surface facing the enclosed volume and having a second set of diffractive optics therein; wherein the first set of diffractive optics and the second of diffractive optics are configured to reflect at least one optical beam within the enclosed volume along a predetermined optical path.