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

A Simplified Laser and Optics System for Laser-Cooled RB Fountain Frequency Standards

Paul D. Kunz, Thomas P. Heavner, Steven R. Jefferts

Published Nov 1, 2007• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

We are developing a simple and robust laser and optics system suitable for a transportable laser-cooled rubidium (Rb) atomic fountain frequency standard. This system uses DFB (Distributed Feedback) diode lasers and a frequency offset-locking scheme to generate the optical frequencies needed for laser-cooling, launching, post-cooling, and detection of Rb atoms. Here, we describe the early results from this project and the anticipated performance of a compact, transportable Rb fountain frequency standard using this laser system. This system will also be useful for nontransportable laser-cooled atomic frequency standards.

Related papers

PROGRESS ON A PORTABLE RUBIDIUM FOUNTAIN FREQUENCY STANDARD

Paul D. Kunz, Thomas P. Heavner, Steven R. Jefferts

We are developing a transportable laser-cooled rubidium (Rb) atomic fountain frequency standard. We have a complete optical package, and have recently shown cooled, launched, and detected atoms. Additionally, a new physics package has been designed and is currently under construction. Here we describe the recent progress made on this project, including refinements to our optical package and its evaluation, and our design choices for the physics package.

•Aug 22, 2015•0 citations

A Portable Rubidium Fountain

Paul D. Kunz, Thomas P. Heavner, Steven R. Jefferts

Abstract : We are developing a transportable laser-cooled rubidium (Rb) atomic fountain frequency standard. Over the last year, we have built the Ramsey cavity and rubidium source oven and are preparing to assemble the physics package. We have also made numerous refinements to the laser package, including transitioning to a new style of laser diode, vastly improving the optical phase-locked loops (OPLL), and improving the optical spatial mode to get more power out of the optical fibers. These refinements have enabled the laser cooling to collect many more atoms, which will improve the fountain s signal-to-noise ratio.

•Nov 1, 2010•0 citations

DFB laser diode pumped Rubidium atomic frequency standard

Jiayao Huang, Y. Gu, X. H. Qi +5 more

We present our recently experimental results on a DFB laser diode pumped Rubidium atomic frequency standard. Our experiment was based on a homemade lamp-pumped Rubidium frequency standard with the discharge lamp assembly removed. In the experiment, we first locked a DFB laser diode to the87Rb cycling transition (5S1/2, F=2→5P3/2, F=3) by means of saturation absorption locking technique. After that, we optimized the parameters carefully related to the clock performance, such as temperature of the physical package, amplitude of the modulation signal for the laser locking. The preliminary short-term stability of our clock is measured 5.25×10−12τ−1/2(1s<τ<100s).

Joint Conference of the European Frequency and Time Forum and IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (EFTF/IFCS)•May 1, 2011•0 citations

Compact and frequency stabilized laser heads for Rubidium atomic clocks

Florian Gruet, Matthieu Pellaton, C. Affolderbach +3 more

We present the development and complete spectral characterization of our compact and frequency-stabilized laser heads, to be used for rubidium atomic clocks and basic spectroscopy. The light source is a Distributed Feed-Back (DFB) laser diode emitting at 780 nm or 795 nm. The laser frequency is stabilized on a sub-Doppler absorption peak of the 87Rb atom, obtained from an evacuated rubidium cell. These laser heads, including the electronics for the light signals detection, have an overall volume of 0.63 liters. We also present a variant of the laser head into which is integrated an Acousto-Optical Modulator (AOM) that precisely detunes the laser frequency in order to minimize the AC Stark shift in Rb atomic clocks.

International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO)•Nov 20, 2017•20 citations

Laser-cooled Rb clocks

Chad Fertig, Wenko Süptitz, Kurt Gibble

Summary form only given. We have constructed a prototype of an /sup 87/Rb fountain clock. We collect 10/sup 10/ /sup 87/Rb atoms in a vapor cell magneto-optic trap (MOT). The laser system for trapping and cooling is entirely solid state--a grating stabilized laser injects a separate slave laser for each of the six beams of the MOT. We launch the atoms by frequency shifting the three downward propagating laser beams and then increasing the detuning and gradually reducing the intensity of the slave lasers to adiabatically cool the atoms to low temperatures in the fountain.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Nov 27, 2002•4 citations

Optical frequency standard by using a 1560 nm diode laser locked to saturated absorption lines of rubidium vapor

Shin Masuda, Atsushi Seki, Shoji Niki

A robust, compact, highly accurate rubidium optical frequency standard module was developed to overcome the delicate performance of conventional frequency stabilized lasers. A frequency doubled 1560 nm distributed feedback diode laser locked to a rubidium D(2) saturated absorption line without using an optical amplifier was demonstrated, and dithering-free optical output was obtained. In addition, the sensitivity of the developed optical frequency standard to magnetic fields was investigated. We confirmed that the influence of the magnetic fields on the optical frequency standard can be almost negligible when using appropriate magnetic-shield films. As a result, the magnetic-field-insensitive optical frequency standard, which can be embedded in optical systems, exhibiting uncertainty less than at least 100 kHz, was successfully realized for the first time to the best of our knowledge.

Applied Optics•Jul 3, 2007•16 citations
We are developing a simple and robust laser and optics system suitable for a transportable laser-cooled rubidium (Rb) atomic fountain frequency standard. This system uses DFB (Distributed Feedback) diode lasers and a frequency offset-locking scheme to generate the optical frequencies needed for laser-cooling, launching, post-cooling, and detection of Rb atoms. Here, we describe the early results from this project and the anticipated performance of a compact, transportable Rb fountain frequency standard using this laser system. This system will also be useful for nontransportable laser-cooled atomic frequency standards.
Abstract : We are developing a transportable laser-cooled rubidium (Rb) atomic fountain frequency standard. Over the last year, we have built the Ramsey cavity and rubidium source oven and are preparing to assemble the physics package. We have also made numerous refinements to the laser package, including transitioning to a new style of laser diode, vastly improving the optical phase-locked loops (OPLL), and improving the optical spatial mode to get more power out of the optical fibers. These refinements have enabled the laser cooling to collect many more atoms, which will improve the fountain s signal-to-noise ratio.
We present our recently experimental results on a DFB laser diode pumped Rubidium atomic frequency standard. Our experiment was based on a homemade lamp-pumped Rubidium frequency standard with the discharge lamp assembly removed. In the experiment, we first locked a DFB laser diode to the87Rb cycling transition (5S1/2, F=2→5P3/2, F=3) by means of saturation absorption locking technique. After that, we optimized the parameters carefully related to the clock performance, such as temperature of the physical package, amplitude of the modulation signal for the laser locking. The preliminary short-term stability of our clock is measured 5.25×10−12τ−1/2(1s<τ<100s).
We present the development and complete spectral characterization of our compact and frequency-stabilized laser heads, to be used for rubidium atomic clocks and basic spectroscopy. The light source is a Distributed Feed-Back (DFB) laser diode emitting at 780 nm or 795 nm. The laser frequency is stabilized on a sub-Doppler absorption peak of the 87Rb atom, obtained from an evacuated rubidium cell. These laser heads, including the electronics for the light signals detection, have an overall volume of 0.63 liters. We also present a variant of the laser head into which is integrated an Acousto-Optical Modulator (AOM) that precisely detunes the laser frequency in order to minimize the AC Stark shift in Rb atomic clocks.
Summary form only given. We have constructed a prototype of an /sup 87/Rb fountain clock. We collect 10/sup 10/ /sup 87/Rb atoms in a vapor cell magneto-optic trap (MOT). The laser system for trapping and cooling is entirely solid state--a grating stabilized laser injects a separate slave laser for each of the six beams of the MOT. We launch the atoms by frequency shifting the three downward propagating laser beams and then increasing the detuning and gradually reducing the intensity of the slave lasers to adiabatically cool the atoms to low temperatures in the fountain.
A robust, compact, highly accurate rubidium optical frequency standard module was developed to overcome the delicate performance of conventional frequency stabilized lasers. A frequency doubled 1560 nm distributed feedback diode laser locked to a rubidium D(2) saturated absorption line without using an optical amplifier was demonstrated, and dithering-free optical output was obtained. In addition, the sensitivity of the developed optical frequency standard to magnetic fields was investigated. We confirmed that the influence of the magnetic fields on the optical frequency standard can be almost negligible when using appropriate magnetic-shield films. As a result, the magnetic-field-insensitive optical frequency standard, which can be embedded in optical systems, exhibiting uncertainty less than at least 100 kHz, was successfully realized for the first time to the best of our knowledge.