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arXiv:2105.02021 · Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Prototype of a compact rubidium-based optical frequency reference for operation on nanosatellites

Aaron Strangfeld, Simon Kanthak, Max Schiemangk, Benjamin Wiegand, Andreas Wicht, Alexander Ling, Markus Krutzik

Published Apr 22, 2021• 26 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Space-borne optical frequency references based on spectroscopy of atomic vapors may serve as an integral part of compact optical atomic clocks, which can advance global navigation systems or can be utilized for earth observation missions as part of laser systems for cold atom gradiometers. Nanosatellites offer low launch costs, multiple deployment opportunities, and short payload development cycles, enabling rapid maturation of optical frequency references and underlying key technologies in space. Toward an in-orbit demonstration on such a platform, we have developed a CubeSat-compatible prototype of an optical frequency reference based on the D2 transition in rubidium. A frequency instability of 1.7 × 10 − 12 at 1 s averaging time is achieved. The optical module occupies a volume of 35 c m 3 , weighs 73 g, and consumes 780 mW of power.

DOI
10.1364/josab.420875

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We report on our latest progress on the ongoing development of a compact optical frequency reference for CubeSat missions in LEO. This reference will be based on Doppler free laser spectroscopy of rubidium vapor. Our simplified solution is based on frequency modulation spectroscopy using a customized, shielded 5 mm long vapor cell and a monolithic distributed feedback (DFB) laser diode on a mesoscopic breadboard setup. The electro-optical system features miniaturized optics as well as a polarization maintaining fiber coupling inside a housing with dimensions of 70 mm × 26 mm × 19 mm (38 cm³). The latter will be installed on a 90 mm × 80mm electronics board for full functionality of the system. This way, our reference constitutes a key technology for future compact, simple and robust atomic quantum technologies for nanosatellite applications.
Optical frequency standards, or lasers stabilized to atomic or molecular transitions, are widely used in length metrology and laser ranging, provide a backbone for optical communications and lie at the heart of next-generation optical atomic clocks. Here we demonstrate a compact, low-power optical frequency reference based on the Doppler-free, two-photon transition in rubidium-87 at 778 nm implemented on a micro-optics breadboard. Our optical reference achieves a fractional frequency instability of 2.9×10−12/ τ for averaging times τ less than 103 s, has a volume of ≈35 cm3 and operates on ≈450 mW of electrical power. The advanced optical integration presented here demonstrates a key step towards the development of compact optical clocks and the broad dissemination of SI-traceable wavelength references.
We present a compact optical frequency standard based on two-photon spectroscopy at 778 nm in a rubidium vapor cell. We demonstrate fractional instability of 3e-13/, √τ/s for timescales up to 10,000 s. Additionally, we describe a secondary system operation in which the short-term stability is improved (though at the expense of the long-term stability) using increased laser power, resulting in 1 s instability <; 1e-13. The system has been designed as an advanced atomic frequency standard for GNSS applications, and is currently being investigated for demonstration on AFRL's Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS-3), an upcoming space flight experiment to middle earth orbit scheduled for launch in 2022.
Compactness, robustness and autonomy of optical frequency references are prerequisites for reliable operation in mobile systems, on ground as well as in space. We present a standalone plug and play optical frequency reference device based on frequency modulation spectroscopy of the D2-transition in rubidium at 780 nm. After a single button press the hand-sized laser module, based on the micro-integrated laser-optical bench described in [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 38 , 1885 ( 2021 ) 10.1364/JOSAB.420875 ], works fully autonomous and generates 6 mW of frequency stabilized light with a relative frequency instability of 1.4×10−12 at 1 s and below 10−11 at 105 s averaging time. We describe the design of the device, investigate the thermal characteristics affecting the output frequency and demonstrate short-term frequency stability improvement by a Bayesian optimizer varying the modulation parameters.
Optical clocks represent the hallmark of precise timekeeping. The most precise atomic clocks are laboratory-based ones that utilize transitions in the microwave/optical domain of neutral atoms or trapped ions. These clocks define an international time scales, confirm the consistency of physical constants and stimulate the search for new physics outside the Standard Model. The other area is the regime of portable atomic clocks based on warm atomic vapor, which is small, power-efficient and deployable in the field with a variety of civilian applications, including sensing, communication and navigation. Two-photon resonance and optical transition based field deployable clocks present a viable alternative that may outperform current commercial chip scale clocks by at least a factor of 10 in terms of both long-term and short-term stability. For portable clocks, two-photon transitions in alkaline earth metals are of special interest. One of the systematic inaccuracies in the optical reference is eliminated by using counter-propagating laser beams to create Doppler-free spectroscopy. At IIT Tirupati, we are engaged in developing the next generation of atomic vapor based portable frequency standard using two-photon transition in Rubidium (Rb) for atomic sensing and quantum positioning applications. This article discusses the physics behind the two-photon transition in Rubidium atoms suitable for a clock reference. Briefly, it discusses the experimental methodology for realizing an optical clock using warm rubidium vapor.