Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
06:42
Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
Published on: June 8, 2018
Terahertz frequency standard based on three-photon coherent population trapping.
C Champenois1, G Hagel, M Houssin
1Physique des Interactions Ioniques et Moléculaires, CNRS UMR 6633, Université de Provence, Centre de Saint Jérôme, Case C21, Marseille Cedex 20, France. caroline.champenois@univ-provence.fr
Physical Review Letters
|August 7, 2007
Summary
A new terahertz frequency standard using three-photon coherent population trapping in stored ions is proposed. This method offers high stability and precision for terahertz signal generation and long-distance propagation.
Area of Science:
- Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Metrology
Background:
- Terahertz (THz) frequency standards are crucial for advanced applications.
- Existing frequency standards face limitations in stability, precision, or applicability.
- Coherent population trapping (CPT) offers a promising approach for high-precision spectroscopy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel scheme for a THz frequency standard.
- To utilize three-photon coherent population trapping in stored ions.
- To achieve high stability and precision in THz signal generation.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical proposal for a THz frequency standard.
- Implementation of three-photon CPT in stored ions.
- Analysis of laser propagation directions and phase matching conditions.
- Investigation of stability and precision limits due to power broadening.
Main Results:
- Achieved stability of a few 10(-14) at 1 second.
- Precision limited by power broadening to 10(-11) in the less favorable case.
- Demonstrated feasibility of long-distance propagation of the referenced THz signal.
Conclusions:
- The proposed scheme offers a viable path towards a high-performance THz frequency standard.
- The method leverages the advantages of CPT for enhanced metrology.
- The generated THz signal's information is encoded in the relative optical photon frequencies, enabling robust long-distance transmission.
