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International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Photonics (EExPolytech)

Characteristics Analysis of Different Models of Quantum Frequency Standard on Mercury-199 Ions

Ding Wang, Vadim Vladimirovich Davydov

Published Oct 19, 2023• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

New trends in the development of navigation systems and the tasks to be solved using global navigation satellite systems, as well as the creation of the basis for deep space exploration have forced changes in the requirements for quantum frequency standards, especially in terms of frequency stability without communication sessions with the Earth. The corresponding new requirement quantum frequency standard is the quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions. This is now the most promising frequency standard for space systems, especially for deep space exploration. To determine the directions of modernization of the design of the quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions (by the new requirements), we collected and summarized information about the current research of the quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions in different countries of the world (USA, Russia, European Union, and China). For the first time, we performed an extended analysis comparing the characteristics of different models of quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions, which differ mainly in the ion traps and light sources for the excitation of mercury-202. The analysis of the technical characteristic of the quantum frequency standard on the mercury-199 ions, as well as our data on calculations of ion trap design with different electrode configurations, showed that long-term stability (105s) of the USA and Chinese models is an order of magnitude higher than that of the Russian and European Union models. The data are comparable in terms of short-term stability at the initial stage of operation. This confirmed our calculations from the parameters of the traps on the effect of electrode fabrication technologies on frequency stability. At present, this problem has not received adequate consideration in the world.

DOI
10.1109/eexpolytech58658.2023.10318712

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New trends in the development of navigation systems and the tasks to be solved using global navigation satellite systems, as well as the creation of the basis for deep space exploration have forced changes in the requirements for quantum frequency standards, especially in terms of frequency stability without communication sessions with the Earth. The corresponding new requirement quantum frequency standard is the quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions. This is now the most promising frequency standard for space systems, especially for deep space exploration. To determine the directions of modernization of the design of the quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions (by the new requirements), we collected and summarized information about the current research of the quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions in different countries of the world (USA, Russia, European Union, and China). For the first time, we performed an extended analysis comparing the characteristics of different models of quantum frequency standard on mercury-199 ions, which differ mainly in the ion traps and light sources for the excitation of mercury-202. The analysis of the technical characteristic of the quantum frequency standard on the mercury-199 ions, as well as our data on calculations of ion trap design with different electrode configurations, showed that long-term stability (105s) of the USA and Chinese models is an order of magnitude higher than that of the Russian and European Union models. The data are comparable in terms of short-term stability at the initial stage of operation. This confirmed our calculations from the parameters of the traps on the effect of electrode fabrication technologies on frequency stability. At present, this problem has not received adequate consideration in the world.
Ion traps are exciting candidates as future precision frequency sources. Recent developments demonstrate that mercury ion frequency standards are capable of a stability performance comparable to commercial cesium standards. There is, however, considerable room for improvement with regard to the signal to noise problem. The 40 GHz microwave frequency implies that a careful design should be implemented to ensure the elimination of the unwanted side bands in the microwave pump signal. A long life, high performance light source to be used in a trapped mercury ion microwave standard must be developed and the long term performance of a trapped mercury ion microwave standard must be investigated. While newly proposed two photon pumping schemes in conjuction with mercury ions promise exciting developments for both microwave and optical frequency standards, other ions that may be potential candidates should be evaluated for their usefulness.
We report on progress towards the development of a small, low-mass and -power, high-stability mercury trapped-ion frequency standard for the Global Positioning System. The design performance goal is a frequency stability reaching into the 10(-16) range using technologies that allow for more than 10 years of continuous operational life. Key features include using a multi-pole ion trap to minimize sensitivity to ion-number-dependent effects and a nitrogen buffer gas for long vacuum pump life. The development program is structured in three phases with the goal of gaining early flight experience and keeping development costs in check.
Abstract The methods of trapping and cooling of atoms and ions have been transformative for atomic clocks due to the reduction, and in some cases elimination, of major systematic frequency shifts. Continuously operating atomic clocks based on trapped mercury ions have existed for decades but until recently have been restricted to terrestrial applications. The recently completed Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) mission demonstrated the first trapped ion clock operation in space. Here we review DSAC as well as follow-on improvements towards the realization of high stability, long life Hg ion atomic clocks for foreseen ground and flight application.
Abstract The mercury ion microwave clock is considered to be one of the leading candidates for new generation satellite navigation atomic clocks due to its excellent long-term frequency stability, extremely low frequency drift rate, high reliability and good potential for miniaturization. In recent years, the performance and maturity of the space mercury ion microwave clock have improved rapidly, and the reported long-term stability results are mostly in low 10 − 15 level. In this article, we present a compact prototype of mercury ion microwave clock aiming to spaceborne applications with the long-term stability of 10 − 16 . By regulating the physical effects contributing to the clock transition frequency shifts, the clock maintains a white frequency noise Allan deviation of 2.8×10 − 13 / τ 1/2 even with the averaging time τ over 10 5 s and achieves the long-term stability of 6.3 × 10 − 16 for averaging times of 200000 s. The space mercury ion microwave clock with such level performance will benefit the Global Navigation Satellite Systems and a wide range of space science and missions.
Trapped mercury ion is a promising candidate for portable and operational atomic clocks. It operates at the 40.5GHz ground state hyperfine transition of 199Hg ions. Mercury ions are confined in a linear RF trap, buffer-gas cooled, with a long ion storage lifetime in an ultra-high vacuum enclosure without an active pump. The clock transition is optically-pumped and detected with a Hg discharge lamp without need of a laser light source. This approach has proven to provide simplicity in design and implementation and robustness in operation. In this paper, we report our recently effort on developing a micro and low-power mercury trapped ion clock in the DARPA ACES program. In a 5 mm x 10 mm linear trap (0.25 cc), we have achieved the clock fractional frequency stability of .7 × 10-12τ-1/2and reached down to 7 × 10-14after 1000 seconds of averaging. We will discuss the clock performance under different conditions and implications toward a micro mercury trapped ion clock with low power and high stability.
Abstract The world around us depends on devices capable of producing or maintaining a signal with an extreme precision. Quantum frequency standards are the answer to this problem. This article presents a modified version of newly developed quantum frequency standard based on trapping Hg-199 ions by magnetic field. The new prototype was developed a while ago and now it was modified due to algorithm improvements and renewed digital hardware, analog and digital circuitry being reordered. Results for Allan deviation show 3 % improvement for long-term frequency stability and more than 5 % for short-term stability