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.     

合金元素对TiC/奥氏体界面稳定性影响的第一性原理计算

界面结合强度与材料的强度、硬度、耐磨损、耐腐蚀等性能息息相关,TiC是钢中常见的析出相,研究它与铁基体的界面结合状态,探寻合理的界面强度提升方案,对提升钢的性能具有十分重要的理论意义和应用价值.本文以TiC/奥氏体基体界面为研究对象,采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算方法从原子尺度上研究TiC/奥氏体基体界面的结合状态.首先本文对界面结合强度以及电子结构进行了计算分析,之后进行高通量计算,研究过渡族金属元素(Mn、Tc、Re、Ru、Os、Co、Rh和Ir)在TiC/奥氏体基体界面的偏析行为及其对界面结合强度的影响,最后通过差分电荷密度分析并解释过渡族金属元素的作用机理.计算研究表明,掺杂Re元素可显著提升界面的强度,为实验上设计高性能钢铁材料提供了新的思路.     

Accurate Evaluation of Microwave-Leakage-Induced Frequency Shifts in Fountain Clocks

We report theoretical calculations of the transition probability errors introduced by microwave leakage in Cs fountain clocks, which will shift the clock frequency. The results show that the transition probability errors are affected by the Ramsey pulse amplitude, the relative phase between the Ramsey field and the leakage field, and the asymmetry of the leakage fields for the upward and downward passages. This effect is quite different for the leakage fields presenting below the Ramsey cavity and above the Ramsey cavity. The leakage-field-induced frequency shifts of the NIM5 fountain clock in different cases are measured. The results are consistent with the theoretical calculations, and give an accurate evaluation of the leakage-field-induced frequency shifts, as distinguished from other microwave-power-related effects for the first time.     

三层任意幂次非线性平板光波导的均匀芯区场

因芯区和包层是非线性介电常数 (即ε～｜E｜δ)具有相同形式的光波导 ,经分析 ,发现在适当的光强下其芯区电场分布可以变为均匀场 .这种能够出现均匀芯区场分布的波导结构有 5种 ,而且强非线性的介质有利于在较低光功率下产生均匀的芯区场 .     

Optical state selection process with optical pumping in a cesium atomic fountain clock

We propose and realize a new optical state selection method on a cesium atomic fountain clock by applying a two-laser 3-3' optical pumping configuration to spin polarize atoms. The atoms are prepared in |F=3, m_F=0> clock state with optical pumping directly after being launched up, followed by a pushing beam to push away the atoms remaining in the |F=4> state. With a state selection efficiency exceeding 92%, this optical method can substitute the traditional microwave state selection, and helps to develop a more compact physical package. A Ramsey fringe has been achieved with this optical state selection method, and a contrast of 90% is obtained with a full width half maximum of 0.92 Hz. The short-term frequency stability of 6.8×10^-14 (τ/s)^-1/2 is acquired. In addition, the number of detected atoms is increased by a factor of 1.7 with the optical state selection.     

用有限元法解五层对称平面光波导的传播特性

将有限元法应用于五层对称平板波导传播特性的精确计算中 ,采用Matlab编程 ,计算了凸型和W型五层对称平板波导导模的传播常数和模场分布 ,与传统报道的结果比较表明 ,有限元方法计算简便易行 ,计算精度高     

Improvements and New Evaluation of NIM4 Caesium Fountain Clock at NIM in 2005-2006

The NIM4 caesium fountain clock has been operating stably and sub-continually since August 2003. We present our improvements on NIM4 in 2005-06 and the most recent evaluation for its frequency shifts with an uncertainty of 5 × 10^-15. A 203-day comparison between NIM4 and GPS time shows an agreement of 2 × 10^-14. Finally the construction of the NIM5 transportable caesium fountain clock is briefly reported.     

NIM5喷泉钟冷却光注入系统的设计和调校

针对NIM5喷泉钟(111)物理布局对冷却光的斜入射角度要求,提出了一体化冷却光注入设计,将偏振、功率和光束特性控制功能集成到冷却光注入系统.根据系统要求,提出相应指标的调校方法.在保证光功率稳定性优于97%的条件下,实现了光利用率大于86%,垂直度小于0.3',光斑均匀性波动小于4%,准直性(光束直径离散)小于3%.较好地满足了NIM5喷泉钟要求.