The Cesium Physics Package Design for the PARCS Experiment

Published

August 23, 2004

Author(s)

Eric A. Burt, William Klipstein, Steven R. Jefferts

Abstract

The Primary Atomic Reference Clock in Space (PARCS) is a collaboration between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the University of Colorado to build a laser-cooled cesium-beam atomic clock as a science payload for the International Space Station (ISS). The three primary goals of the PARCS experiment are (1) to demonstrate laser cooling of atoms in space, (2) to use laser cooling to build the most accurate space clock, and (3) to use the clock to test fundamental assumptions and predictions of relativity theory. In this paper we will discuss aspects of the PARCS cesium physics package subsystem design addressing magnetic, microwave and vacuum requirements as well as operational scenarios.

Proceedings Title

Proc. Joint Mtg. IEEE Intl. Freq. Cont. Symp. and UFFC Conf.

Conference Location

Montreal, CA

Conference Title

Joint Mtg. IEEE Intl. Freq. Cont. Symp. and UFFC Conf.

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

atomic clock, laser cooling, PARCS, primary frequency standard, space clock

Citation

Burt, E. , Klipstein, W. and Jefferts, S. (2004), The Cesium Physics Package Design for the PARCS Experiment, Proc. Joint Mtg. IEEE Intl. Freq. Cont. Symp. and UFFC Conf., Montreal, CA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=30007 (Accessed October 16, 2025)