Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Joint Conference of the European Frequency and Time Forum and IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (EFTF/IFCS)

Frequency stability performance of a laser pumped rubidium vapor cell atomic frequency standard

M. Zhu

Published Jul 1, 2013• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The AC Stark shift (the light shift) is very important in the performance of laser-pumped vapor cell atomic frequency standards. The frequency stability of a compact rubidium vapor cell atomic frequency standard with an AC Stark shift suppression laser pumping method was evaluated. The applications of such a device include serving as primary reference clocks in communication systems such as Stratum 1 reference clocks.

DOI
10.1109/eftf-ifc.2013.6702296

Related papers

Theoretical and Experimental Study of Light Shift in a CPT-Based RB Vapor Cell Frequency Standard

Meng Tong Zhu, Leonard S. Cutler

One of the important subjects in coherent-population- trapping-based (CPT-based) vapor cell frequency standards is the light shift (ac Stark shift). We calculate the light shift using a numerical method and perturbation approximation. Experimentally, we measure light shift using a pair of phase-locked diode lasers as well as a frequency-modulated diode laser. There is good agreement between theory and experiment. A method of controlling light shift in CPT-based frequency standards is proposed and implemented in Agilent Laboratories. The short-term stability of our CPT-based rubidium vapor cell frequency standard is measured as 1.3 x 10(-12) tau (-1/2), which is limited by the phase noise of the reference local oscillator used.

•Jan 1, 2001•51 citations

Application of reduced light shift optical pumping method to chip scale atomic clock

M. Zhu, Jeff F. DeNatale

In a chip scale atomic clock (CSAC), a laser beam with a higher intensity is usually used to achieve a good contrast of the clock transition signal. Thus the light shift (AC Stark shift) is of great importance to the performance of a CSAC device. Here we apply the reduced light shift optical pumping method to a micro-machined 87Rb vapor cell in order to reduce the sensitivity of the measured clock frequency to various operational parameters. The preliminary result shows the improved short term stability.

Joint Conference of the European Frequency and Time Forum and IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (EFTF/IFCS)•Apr 1, 2009•2 citations

A Comprehensive Review of Rubidium Two-Photon Vapor Cell Optical Clock: Long-Term Performance Limitations and Potential Improvements

Asagwegbe C. Obaze-Adeleke, Bryan Semon, Thejesh Bandi

Two-photon vapor cell-based optical clocks are strong candidates for next-generation portable atomic standards, offering simplicity, compactness, and high performance. Their narrow clock transitions with counter-propagating beams enable first-order Doppler-free operation. However, systematic perturbations such as the AC Stark shift, temperature-induced shift, and drifts resulting from the laser system pose challenges cause instabilities to medium- to long-term performance. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Rb two-photon vapor cell optical standards, focusing on the long-term performance-limiting effects and potential mitigation strategies, aiming for clock stabilities better than 1 × 10−15 over the averaging time of a day and beyond.

Photonics•May 20, 2025•10 citations

Laser optical pumping in Rb vapour-cell atomic clocks (Invited Paper)

G. Mileti, C. Affolderbach

We discuss the basic physical principles of laser optical pumping double-resonance spectroscopy, which form the basis of state-of-the-art vapour-cell atomic frequency standards using laser optical pumping of Rb atoms. The main effects limiting the frequency stability of Rb vapour-cell atomic clocks are identified, and their impact on the development of high-performance frequency standars and their transfer from research laboratories to industry and space is discussed. As examples, the impact of the AC stark effect and the realated issue of laser frequency stabilisation are dealt with in more detail. The main features of the present state-of-the-art Rb atomic frequency standards will be illustrated using the example of the development of atomic clocks for satellite navigation and positioning systems (GPS, GLONAS, GALILEO, etc.) as well as some directions for further improvements that could overcome present day limitations. Such compact Rb clocks find their applications in, for example, telecommunications, local timekeeping and synchronisation, and space applications like satellite navigation and science missions. An overview of other, alternative clock schemes is given and critical issues for future developments towards further performance improvement or device miniaturisation in the field of vapour-cell atomic clocks are discussed.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Apr 22, 2005•0 citations

Laser-pumped high-performance compact gas-cell Rb standard with < 3×10−13 τ−1/2 stability

Thejesh Bandi, C. Affolderbach, G. Mileti +4 more

We demonstrate a high-performance laser-pumped rubidium-cell atomic frequency standard exhibiting a short-term stability of-13τ-1/2. The key components of this standard are a Rb vapor cell of 25mm diameter and a newly developed compact microwave resonator cavity. The overall volume of the clock's physics package - including the frequency-stabilized laser head and physics package - is <; 3 liters, which shows the potential of this compact clock for future portable applications.

European Frequency and Time Forum•Apr 1, 2012•1 citation

A frequency shift compensation method for light shift and vapor-cell temperature shift in atomic clocks

Dou Li, Kangqi Liu, Linzhen Zhao +1 more

Light shift and vapor-cell temperature shift are the two most significant factors dominating the long-term instability of compact atomic clocks. Due to the different physical mechanisms, there is not yet a solution that can effectively suppress the frequency shifts induced by these two effects. Here, we propose a 'resonance-offset' locking approach that compensates for the two physical frequency shifts. In this approach, the additional offset locking shift can effectively counteract the atomic resonance shifts arising from changes in vapor-cell temperature and light power, reducing the net impact on the clock's frequency to nearly zero. We have demonstrated this strategy on the 778 nm Rubidium two-photon optical frequency standard, successfully compensating for light shift and cell-temperature shift, respectively. This general method is particularly appealing for compact vapor-cell microwave and optical atomic clocks designed for the excellent stability rather than accuracy.

arXiv:2405.14281•May 23, 2024•0 citations
The AC Stark shift (the light shift) is very important in the performance of laser-pumped vapor cell atomic frequency standards. The frequency stability of a compact rubidium vapor cell atomic frequency standard with an AC Stark shift suppression laser pumping method was evaluated. The applications of such a device include serving as primary reference clocks in communication systems such as Stratum 1 reference clocks.
One of the important subjects in coherent-population- trapping-based (CPT-based) vapor cell frequency standards is the light shift (ac Stark shift). We calculate the light shift using a numerical method and perturbation approximation. Experimentally, we measure light shift using a pair of phase-locked diode lasers as well as a frequency-modulated diode laser. There is good agreement between theory and experiment. A method of controlling light shift in CPT-based frequency standards is proposed and implemented in Agilent Laboratories. The short-term stability of our CPT-based rubidium vapor cell frequency standard is measured as 1.3 x 10(-12) tau (-1/2), which is limited by the phase noise of the reference local oscillator used.
In a chip scale atomic clock (CSAC), a laser beam with a higher intensity is usually used to achieve a good contrast of the clock transition signal. Thus the light shift (AC Stark shift) is of great importance to the performance of a CSAC device. Here we apply the reduced light shift optical pumping method to a micro-machined 87Rb vapor cell in order to reduce the sensitivity of the measured clock frequency to various operational parameters. The preliminary result shows the improved short term stability.
Two-photon vapor cell-based optical clocks are strong candidates for next-generation portable atomic standards, offering simplicity, compactness, and high performance. Their narrow clock transitions with counter-propagating beams enable first-order Doppler-free operation. However, systematic perturbations such as the AC Stark shift, temperature-induced shift, and drifts resulting from the laser system pose challenges cause instabilities to medium- to long-term performance. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Rb two-photon vapor cell optical standards, focusing on the long-term performance-limiting effects and potential mitigation strategies, aiming for clock stabilities better than 1 × 10−15 over the averaging time of a day and beyond.
We discuss the basic physical principles of laser optical pumping double-resonance spectroscopy, which form the basis of state-of-the-art vapour-cell atomic frequency standards using laser optical pumping of Rb atoms. The main effects limiting the frequency stability of Rb vapour-cell atomic clocks are identified, and their impact on the development of high-performance frequency standars and their transfer from research laboratories to industry and space is discussed. As examples, the impact of the AC stark effect and the realated issue of laser frequency stabilisation are dealt with in more detail. The main features of the present state-of-the-art Rb atomic frequency standards will be illustrated using the example of the development of atomic clocks for satellite navigation and positioning systems (GPS, GLONAS, GALILEO, etc.) as well as some directions for further improvements that could overcome present day limitations. Such compact Rb clocks find their applications in, for example, telecommunications, local timekeeping and synchronisation, and space applications like satellite navigation and science missions. An overview of other, alternative clock schemes is given and critical issues for future developments towards further performance improvement or device miniaturisation in the field of vapour-cell atomic clocks are discussed.
Light shift and vapor-cell temperature shift are the two most significant factors dominating the long-term instability of compact atomic clocks. Due to the different physical mechanisms, there is not yet a solution that can effectively suppress the frequency shifts induced by these two effects. Here, we propose a 'resonance-offset' locking approach that compensates for the two physical frequency shifts. In this approach, the additional offset locking shift can effectively counteract the atomic resonance shifts arising from changes in vapor-cell temperature and light power, reducing the net impact on the clock's frequency to nearly zero. We have demonstrated this strategy on the 778 nm Rubidium two-photon optical frequency standard, successfully compensating for light shift and cell-temperature shift, respectively. This general method is particularly appealing for compact vapor-cell microwave and optical atomic clocks designed for the excellent stability rather than accuracy.