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A chip-scale atomic beam clock
Gabriela D Martinez1,2, Chao Li3,4, Alexander Staron1,2
1Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA.
Nature Communications
|June 13, 2023
Summary
We demonstrated a chip-scale atomic beam clock using coherent population trapping (CPT) for precise timekeeping. This new device achieves high frequency stability, paving the way for next-generation atomic clocks.
Area of Science:
- Atomic physics and precision measurement.
- Development of miniaturized atomic clocks.
- Quantum optics and spectroscopy.
Background:
- Atomic beams are crucial for commercial frequency standards.
- Existing chip-scale clocks have limitations in long-term stability.
- Coherent Population Trapping (CPT) is a key technique for atomic clocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a chip-scale microwave atomic beam clock.
- To utilize CPT interrogation in a passively pumped atomic beam device.
- To assess the frequency stability of the developed chip-scale clock.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hermetically sealed vacuum cell using anodically bonded glass and Si wafers.
- Generation of Rubidium (Rb) atomic beams using lithographically defined capillaries.
- Ramsey CPT spectroscopy of the atomic beam over a 10 mm distance.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of a prototype chip-scale microwave atomic beam clock.
- Achieved fractional frequency stability of approximately 1.2 × 10-9/τ1/2 for integration times from 1s to 250s.
- Stability was limited by detection noise.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated chip-scale atomic beam clock shows promise for exceeding current stability limits.
- Optimized devices may achieve long-term stability below 10-12.
- This technology offers a pathway to advanced, compact atomic clocks.
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