Realization of a pulsed optically pumped Rb clock with a frequency stability below [Formula: see text].

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Metrology and Measurement Science
• Space Science and Technology

Background:

• Development of compact and robust atomic clocks is crucial for space missions requiring precise timing.
• Vapor cell atomic clocks offer a miniaturized alternative to traditional atomic frequency standards.
• Pulsed optically pumping (POP) techniques enhance the performance of vapor cell clocks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the frequency stability performance of a novel vapor cell Rubidium (Rb) clock.
• To evaluate the clock's suitability for space applications through rigorous testing.
• To demonstrate a record-breaking frequency stability for a POP vapor-cell frequency standard.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a vapor cell Rubidium (Rb) clock employing the pulsed optically pumping (POP) technique.
• Employed an engineered physics package designed for space qualification, combined with laboratory-grade optics and electronics.
• Measured frequency stability using Allan deviation for various integration times.

Main Results:

• Achieved a frequency stability of [Formula: see text] at 1 second.
• Attained a stability of [Formula: see text] for integration times up to 40,000 seconds (drift removed).
• This represents a record result for a vapor-cell frequency standard.

Conclusions:

• The developed POP vapor cell clock demonstrates exceptional frequency stability, suitable for space applications.
• Careful stabilization of microwave and laser pulses is critical for achieving state-of-the-art performance.
• This work sets a new benchmark for vapor-cell atomic clocks in terms of frequency stability.