芯片原子钟相干布居囚禁谱线特性研究

通过微型原子蒸汽室产生质量满足要求的相干布居囚禁(CPT)信号是实现芯片原子钟的关键之一.本实验通过对光源实施频率调制和对光场与⁸⁷Rb原子作用产生的信号作相敏解调获得高信噪比的CPT微分谱线, 利用CPT微分谱线研究了CPT信号随工作参数变化的规律以及信号质量对原子钟频率稳定度的影响, 所获研究结果与理论模型预期相符合, 实验结果为芯片原子钟推荐了最佳工作参数.实验所采用的方法利用芯片原子钟自身的资源就可以实施, 因此为芯片原子钟开展性能研究和实施工作参数优化提供了实用的手段.     

High-performance coherent population trapping clock based on laser-cooled atoms

We present a coherent population trapping clock system based on laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb atoms. The clock consists of a frequency-stabilized CPT interrogation laser and a cooling laser as well as a compact magneto-optical trap, a high-performance microwave synthesizer, and a signal detection system. The resonance signal in the continuous wave regime exhibits an absorption contrast of $\sim 50$%. In the Ramsey interrogation method, the linewidth of the central fringe is 31.25 Hz. The system achieves fractional frequency stability of ${2.4\times }{{10}}^{{-11}}/\sqrt \tau $, which goes down to ${1.8\times }{{10}}^{{-13}}$ at 20000 s. The results validate that cold atom interrogation can improve the long-term frequency stability of coherent population trapping clocks and holds the potential for developing compact/miniature cold atoms clocks.     

Atomic-based stabilization for laser-pumped atomic clocks

We describe a novel technique for stabilizing frequency shifts in laser-interrogated vapor-cell atomic clocks. The method suppresses frequency shifts due to changes in the laser frequency, intensity, and modulation index as well as atomic vapor density. The clock operating parameters are monitored by using the atoms themselves, rather than by using conventional schemes for laser frequency and cell temperature control. The experiment is realized using a chip-scale atomic clock. The novel atomic-based stabilization approach results in a simpler setup and improved long-term performance.     

Optical pumping with laser-induced-fluorescence

We describe a new procedure for optical pumping that is based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). The procedure is demonstrated by optically exciting a sample of Rb⁸⁵ atoms, which then creates a population imbalance between the ground state hyperfine levels of Rb⁸⁷ by “LIF depopulation pumping”. Though optical pumping with this technique increases the intensity dependent light-shift coefficient (i.e., ac Stark shift) of the Rb⁸⁷ 0-0 hyperfine transition, it reduces the frequency dependent light-shift coefficient by at least an order of magnitude. Since the stabilization of the diode laser wavelength is a significant challenge in the development of laser-pumped gas-cell atomic clocks, it is anticipated that optical pumping with LIF will be of benefit to atomic clock technology.     

Development of the quantum discriminator for compact atomic clock

In the Laboratory of Frequency Standards, Quantum Radiophysics Division, Lebedev Physical Institute, a compact atomic standard of frequency and time is being developed. The results of this study make it possible to achieve a narrower metrological resonance of coherent population trapping (CPT) than in developed foreign analogues of compact atomic clocks, which will have a direct effect on the standard stability. The effect of the combination of buffer gas and antirelaxation coating on the CPT amplitude and resonance width are studied; parameters of short-cavity diode lasers (SCDLs) specially developed in collaboration with the Polyus Research and Development Institute are studied. A prototype of the compact physical discriminator for the atomic clock is developed and assembled. The dark width of the metrological resonance in the discriminator is less than 1 kHz, which theoretically implies the development of a compact atomic clock with a stability (Allan parameter) no worse than 3 · 10⁻¹² per hour.     

Review of chip-scale atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping

Research on chip-scale atomic clocks （CSACs） based on coherent population trapping （CPT） is reviewed. The back- ground and the inspiration for the research are described, including the important schemes proposed to improve the CPT signal quality, the selection of atoms and buffer gases, and the development of micro-cell fabrication. With regard to the re- liability, stability, and service life of the CSACs, the research regarding the sensitivity of the CPT resonance to temperature and laser power changes is also reviewed, as well as the CPT resonance＇s collision and light of frequency shifts. The first generation CSACs have already been developed but its characters are still far from our expectations. Our conclusion is that miniaturization and power reduction are the most important aspects calling for further research.     

相干布居数拍频信号与基态超精细子能级相干性关系的研究

相干布居数拍频(coherent population beating, CPB)现象, 产生于一个Λ型三能级原子系统中, 当双色相干激光场的频率差和两基态能级频率间隔近失谐的时候, 原子在激发态能级上的布居数会产生一个弛豫振荡, 且振荡频率等于失谐量. 当将此现象运用于原子标准频率的提取时, CPB频标的稳定度与CPB信号的幅度及信噪比直接相关. 本文理论推导了描述CPB 现象的表达式, 数值模拟并实验研究了⁸⁷Rb基态超精细子能级的相干性对CPB信号的影响, 通过控制与基态子能级共振相干激光场的抽运时间来控制能级的相干程度, 观测不同相干程度对CPB信号质量的影响. 研究结果表明CPB信号振荡的幅度与基态子能级相干程度成正比关系. 要改善CPB信号信噪比、提高原子频标稳定度, 建立、提高和保持基态超精细能级的相干性是关键. 本文还讨论了CPB现象用于弱磁场测量及其他方面应用的可行性.     

Light-shift induced by two unbalanced spontaneous decay rates in EIT (CPT) spectroscopies under Ramsey pulse excitation

Light shift is important and inevitably affects the long-term stability of an atomic clock. In this work, considering two unbalanced branches of the spontaneous decay rate in a three-level system, we studied the frequency shifts of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and coherent population trapping (CPT) clocks operating under the pulse sequence regime by numerically solving the Liouville density matrix equations. The results show that the frequency shifts are larger when the two branches of spontaneous emission rate are not equal compared to the equal case. In addition, in EIT-Ramsey, the effect of the unbalanced branches of the spontaneous decay rate and relaxations of low-energy states on the frequency shift is greater than that of Rabi frequency. In CPT-Ramsey, the relaxations of low-energy states play a dominant role in frequency shift.     

Frequency Stability of Atomic Clocks Based on Coherent Population Trapping Resonance in ^85Rb

An atomic clock system based on coherent population trapping （CPT） resonance in 85Rb is reported, while most past works about the CPT clock are in ST Rb. A new modulation method （full-hyperfine-frequency-splitting modulation） is presented to reduce the effect of light shift to improve the frequency stability of the CPT clock in SSRb. The experimental results show that the short-term frequency stability of the CPT clock in SSRb is in the order of 10^-10/s and the long-term frequency stability can achieve 1.5 × 10^-11/80000s, which performs as well as 87 Rb in CPT resonance. This very good frequency stability performance associated with the low-cost and low-power properties of SSRb indicates that an atomic clock based on CPT in SSRb should be a promising candidate for making the chip scale atomic clock.     

相干布居数囚禁原子频标的实现及相关实验参数研究

原子频标要求高信噪比和窄线宽的鉴频信号,但对于被动型相干囚禁态原子频标(CPT频标), 改善鉴频信号信噪比以增加线宽为代价,因此选择合适的信噪比和线宽组合是研制CPT原子频标频标的重要环节。文章介绍了用桌面CPT频标系统地研究了鉴频信号与温度、光强等参数的关系所获得的研究结果,由此获得了合适选取的信噪比与线宽组合的依据。文章还给出了关于光源非理想偏振导致的消相干效应对CPT频标的影响所开展的实验结果。文章所提供的研究结果不仅帮助我们研制成功了CPT频标,而且对于CPT物理现象研究和其他CPT频标的研制也有参考价值。     

锶玻色子的“魔术”波长光晶格装载实验研究

光晶格中性原子光钟的不确定度已达到10^-18量级. 本文介绍了碱土金属锶原子玻色子⁸⁸Sr在“魔术”波长处的一维光晶格装载, 实现冷锶原子的囚禁并使锶原子的钟跃迁能级(5s²) ¹S₀-(5s5p) ³P₀在此波长处的交流斯塔克光频移一致. 实验中半导体激光器产生“魔术”光波长(813 nm), 通过实验搭建光学驻波场并获得晶格激光聚焦光束, 束腰半径为38 μm. 经过一级冷却和二级冷却后温度约为2 μK的冷锶原子被此“魔术”波长光晶格囚禁. 通过实验测量得到锶原子玻色子⁸⁸Sr光晶格寿命为270 ms, 数目约为1.2×10⁵, 温度在3.5 μK左右, 此外研究了晶格光功率对晶格囚禁原子数目及温度的影响作用. 原子的光晶格装载为后续的钟跃迁提供了长的探测时间, 为进一步的光钟闭环提供了实验基础.     

Cesium optical atomic clock: an optical pulse that tells the time

We propose a new cesium (Cs) atomic clock whose microwave source is a 9.1926-GHz harmonically and regeneratively mode-locked erbium fiber laser rather than a quartz oscillator and a multiplexer. The repetition rate of the laser is directly locked to the Cs resonance, and the frequency stability evaluated by the Allan variance is 7.1 x 10(-12) for tau = 1 s. This new atomic clock provides not only a precise 1-s time standard after demultiplexing but also an optical pulse train with the same stability, which means that the ultrastable clock signal can be delivered throughout the world by means of optical fiber networks.     

平行线偏光激发CPT共振方案实验研究

目前的相干布居囚禁(CPT)原子钟和CPT磁场计中普遍采用圆偏振光方案 (σ⁺-σ⁺)实现CPT共振, 该方案对原子的利用率较低. 为了提高原子的利用率, 本文实验研究了通过平行线偏振相干双色光与⁸⁷Rb原子作用实现CPT共振的方案(lin//lin). 与σ⁺-σ⁺方案相比较, lin//lin方案消除了极化暗态, 获得更多工作原子. 在相同的实验条件下, 开展对比实验研究获得了信噪比为σ⁺-σ⁺方案2倍, 微分线型信号的中心斜率为σ⁺-σ⁺方案1.65倍的CPT共振信号. 研究结果表明该方案是实现低功耗原子钟、磁场计等设备的理想候选.     

Cold atom clocks and their applications in precision measurements

Cold atom clocks have made remarkable progresses in the last two decades and played critical roles in precision measurements. Primary Cs fountain frequency standards have achieved a total uncertainty of a few parts in 1016, and the best optical clock has reached a type B uncertainty below 10-18. Besides applications in the metrology, navigation, etc.,ultra-stable and ultra-accurate atomic clocks have also become powerful tools in the basic scientific investigations. In this paper, we focus on the recent developments in the high-performance cold atomic clocks which can be used as frequency standards to calibrate atomic time scales. The basic principles, performances, and limitations of fountain clocks and optical clocks based on signal trapped ion or neutral atoms are summarized. Their applications in metrology and other areas are briefly introduced.     

Lineshape asymmetry for joint coherent population trapping and three-photon N resonances

We show that a characteristic two-photon lineshape asymmetry arises in coherent population trapping (CPT) and three-photon (N) resonances, because both resonances are simultaneously induced by modulation sidebands in the interrogating laser light. The N resonance is a three-photon resonance in which a two-photon Raman excitation is combined with a resonant optical pumping field. This joint CPT and N resonance can be the dominant source of lineshape distortion, with direct relevance for the operation of miniaturized atomic frequency standards. We present the results of both an experimental study and theoretical treatment of the asymmetry of the joint CPT and N resonance under conditions typical to the operation of an N resonance clock.     

Ultrastable cesium atomic clock with a 9.1926-GHz regeneratively mode-locked fiber laser

We describe an ultrastable cesium (Cs) atomic clock with a 9.1926-GHz regeneratively mode-locked fiber laser obtained by use of an optically pumped Cs beam tube. By adopting a 1-m-long Cs beam tube with a linewidth of 110 Hz, we have successfully obtained frequency stabilities of 4.8 x 10(-12) for tau = 1 s and 6.3 x 10(-13) for tau = 50 s for a 9.1926-GHz microwave output signal. This Cs atomic clock can generate an optical pulse train with the same stability as that of the obtained microwave, which allows us to deliver a frequency standard optical signal throughout the world by means of optical fiber networks.     

拉曼喷泉原子钟

利用托曼光场代替喷泉原子钟的微波腔实现拉曼喷泉原子钟.将分离托曼光场技术与冷原子喷泉技术相结合.避免了存真空腔内放置微波腔,简化了真空系统.同时还保持了很高的准确度.采用半经典理论研究了冷原子喷泉与托曼光场的相互作用过程.得到了冉赛(Ramsey)条纹.比较了托曼喷泉原子钟与热铯束拉曼原子钟,前者有更小的体积和功耗,其精度可能达到或超过商用小铯钟.还比较了拉曼喷泉原子钟与微波喷泉原子钟的差别,分析了光子反冲的影响,提出利用同向传播和相向传播的两台拉曼原子钟测最精细结构常数.     

Mode-locked laser-type optical atomic clock with an optically pumped Cs gas cell

We propose and demonstrate a mode-locked laser-type optical atomic clock with an optically pumped cesium (Cs) gas cell. By adopting the optically pumped Cs gas cell with a double resonance method as a frequency standard, we have successfully demonstrated an ultrastable rack-mount type Cs optical atomic clock with excellent short-term stability. The obtained frequency stabilities reached as high as 1.2 x 10(-12) for tau=1 s and 8.8 x 10(-14) for tau=100 s for a 9.1926 GHz microwave output signal.     

Theoretical analysis of suppressing Dick effect in Ramsey-CPT atomic clock by interleaving lock

For most pulsed atomic clocks, the Dick effect is one of the main limits to reach its frequency stability limitation due to quantum projection noise. In this paper, we measure the phase noise of the local oscillator in the Ramsey-CPT atomic clock and calculate the Dick effect induced Allan deviation based on a three-level atomic model, which is quite different from typical atomic clocks. We further present a detailed analysis of optimizing the sensitivity function and minimizing the Dick effect by interleaving lock. By optimizing the duty circle of laser pulses, average time during detection and optical intensity of laser beam, the Dick effect induced Allan deviation can be reduced to the level of 10~(-14).     

Collisional frequency shifts in 133Cs fountain clocks

We present a theoretical analysis of the density dependent frequency shift in Cs fountain clocks using the highly constrained binary collision model described by Leo et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2721 (2000)]. We predict a reversal in the clock shift at temperatures near 0.08 microK. Our results show that s waves dominate the collision process. However, as a consequence of the large scattering lengths in Cs the clock shift is strongly temperature dependent and does not reach a constant Wigner-law value until temperatures are less than 0.1 nK.