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A high stability optical frequency reference based on thermal calcium atoms

Published

Author(s)

Richard W. Fox, Jeffrey Sherman, W. Douglas, Judith B. Olson, Andrew Ludlow, Christopher W. Oates

Abstract

Here we report an imprecision below 10-14 with a simple, compact optical frequency standard based upon thermal calcium atoms. Using a Ramsey-Borde spectrometer we excite features with linewidths < 5 kHz for the 1S0-3P1 intercombination line at 657 nm. We have measured a fractional frequency instability below 6 x 10-15 at 1 s, with good prospects for still quieter performance. The key remaining issue is for this standard is how well first- and second-order Doppler drifts can be suppressed. Due to its experimental simplicity such a system could find application as a high stability reference for commercial applications.
Proceedings Title
Proceedings of 2012 IEEE Frequency Control Symposium
Conference Dates
May 21-24, 2012
Conference Location
Baltimore, MD, US
Conference Title
2012 IEEE Frequency Control Symposium

Keywords

frequency standards, optical clocks

Citation

Fox, R. , Sherman, J. , Douglas, W. , Olson, J. , Ludlow, A. and Oates, C. (2012), A high stability optical frequency reference based on thermal calcium atoms, Proceedings of 2012 IEEE Frequency Control Symposium, Baltimore, MD, US, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=911604 (Accessed March 29, 2024)
Created May 23, 2012, Updated October 12, 2021