A scalable arbitrary waveform generator for atomic physics experiments based on field-programmable gate array...

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Metrology and Measurement Science
• Computer Engineering and Hardware

Background:

• Optical lattice clocks are crucial for high-precision timekeeping and fundamental physics.
• Existing control systems may face limitations in stability, scalability, and waveform generation.
• The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) sought to improve its strontium optical lattice clock control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a novel FPGA-based control system for a strontium optical lattice clock.
• To enhance the precision, stability, and flexibility of the clock's control mechanisms.
• To demonstrate the system's reliability and suitability for advanced atomic clock applications.

Main Methods:

• Designed and manufactured bespoke printed circuit boards (PCBs) with FPGAs.
• Incorporated specialized components: 8-channel, 16-bit DAC (2 μs update rate) and 4-channel DDS (1 GHz clock).
• Implemented a master-slave architecture for scalability and utilized large data buffers with pseudoclock structures for complex waveform generation.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly predictable timing with low jitter due to FPGA clock synchronization.
• Demonstrated system scalability through a master-slave board arrangement.
• Successfully generated complex waveforms using large data buffers and pseudoclock structures.
• Validated system reliability during extended atomic clock frequency comparisons.

Conclusions:

• The developed FPGA-based control system offers a stable, scalable, and flexible platform for optical lattice clocks.
• The hardware's low jitter and advanced waveform generation capabilities significantly benefit high-precision metrology.
• The system's demonstrated reliability confirms its suitability for demanding atomic clock applications and frequency comparisons.