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

arXiv:physics/0501090 · Physical Review A

Three-photon-absorption resonance for all-optical atomic clocks

Sergei A. Zibrov, Irina V. Novikova, David F. Phillips, Aleksei V. Taichenachev, Valeriy I. Yudin, Ronald Lee Walsworth, Alexander S. Zibrov

Published Jul 7, 2005• 37 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report an experimental study of an all-optical three-photon-absorption resonance (known as an ``$N$ resonance'') and discuss its potential application as an alternative to atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping. We present measurements of the $N$-resonance contrast, width and light shift for the ${D}_{1}$ line of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ with varying buffer gases, and find good agreement with an analytical model of this resonance. The results suggest that $N$ resonances are promising for atomic clock applications.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.72.011801

Related papers

A novel absorption resonance for atomic clocks

David F. Phillips, Irina V. Novikova, Sergei A. Zibrov +5 more

We report an experimental study of an all-optical three-photon-absorption resonance (known as an "N-resonance") and discuss its potential application as an alternative to atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping (CPT). We present measurements of the N-resonance contrast, width and light shift for /sup 87/Rb under various conditions including both D/sub 1/ and D/sub 2/ optical transitions. Under conditions such that first-order light shifts cancel, we observe promising short-term frequency stability (/spl sim/ 1.5 /spl times/ 10/sup -11/ /spl tau//sub - 1/2 /) for an N-resonance on the Di transition of /sup 87/ Rb vapor.

Joint Conference of the European Frequency and Time Forum and IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (EFTF/IFCS)•Jan 18, 2006•2 citations

Novel absorption resonance for all-optical atomic clocks

Irina V. Novikova, Sergei A. Zibrov, Yanhong Xiao +5 more

We report an experimental study of an all-optical three-photon-absorption resonance (N -resonance) and discuss its potential application as an alternative to atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping (CPT).

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2005•0 citations

Coherent-population-trapping resonances with linearly polarized light for all-optical miniature atomic clocks

Sergei A. Zibrov, Irina V. Novikova, David F. Phillips +5 more

We present a joint theoretical and experimental characterization of the coherent population trapping (CPT) resonance excited on the ${D}_{1}$ line of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms by bichromatic linearly polarized laser light. We observe high-contrast transmission resonances (up to $\ensuremath{\approx}25%$), which makes this excitation scheme promising for miniature all-optical atomic clock applications. We also demonstrate cancellation of the first-order light shift by proper choice of the frequencies and relative intensities of the two laser-field components. Our theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results.

arXiv:0910.4703•Physical Review A•Jan 28, 2010•112 citations

Comparison of 87Rb N-resonances for D1 and D2 transitions

Novikova, I, Phillips, D F, Taichenachev, A V +3 more

We report an experimental comparison of three-photon-absorption resonances (known as "N-resonances") for the D_1 and D_2 optical transitions of thermal 87Rb vapor. We find that the D_2 N-resonance has better contrast, a broader linewidth, and a more symmetric lineshape than the D_1 N-resonance. Taken together, these factors imply superior performance for frequency standards operating on alkali D_2 N-resonances, in contrast to coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances for which the D_2 transition provides poorer frequency standard performance than the D_1 transition.

•Jan 11, 2006•17 citations

All-optical atomic clock based on coherent population trapping in ^85Rb

Mikko Merimaa, Thomas Lindvall, Ilkka Juhani Tittonen +1 more

An all-optical microwave frequency standard based on coherent population trapping (CPT) in 85Rb is developed. The CPT resonances are detected by an ordinary edge-emitting diode laser in a simple optical setup. A buffer-gas mixture is carefully optimized to yield a narrow linewidth and a reduced temperature dependence of the resonance frequency. With the developed system we are able to measure ultranarrow optically induced hyperfine CPT resonances at <20 Hz, which is in good agreement with the linewidth calculated from experimental parameters. The frequency of an RF-signal generator has been stabilized to the CPT resonance between the two mF=0 magnetic sublevels. The relative frequency stability (square root of Allan variance) follows a slope of 3.5×10-11 τ-1/2(1 s<τ<2000 s). The best stability of 6.4×10-13 is reached at an integration time of τ=2000 s. This stability is sufficient for many high-precision applications. Frequency-shift measurements were made to evaluate the frequency dependencies on the operation parameters.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Feb 1, 2003•131 citations

Atomic clock based on a coherent population trapping resonance in87Rb with improved high-frequency modulation parameters

Sergey Khripunov, Daba A. Radnatarov, Sergey M Kobtsev

This work reports for the first time development and experimental study of a laboratory prototype of an atomic clock with stability of 2×10–11τ –1/2 (Allan deviation) over time 1 s < τ < 1000 s (7×10–13 over 1000 s) on the basis of a coherent population trapping (CPT) resonance in 87Rb in a compact spherical cell having 1.3-cm diameter and without any buffer gas. Demonstrated are dependencies of the width of the studied CPT resonance upon the amplitude and modulation frequency of optical frequency difference (3.417 GHz) of a bichromatic circularly polarised pump field. For the first time, a considerable non-linearity was discovered in the dependence upon the reference difference frequency of the spectral position of the CPT resonance when the modulation frequency of the optical frequency difference is varied within a broad range.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Mar 10, 2015•19 citations
We report an experimental study of an all-optical three-photon-absorption resonance (known as an ``NNN resonance'') and discuss its potential application as an alternative to atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping. We present measurements of the NNN-resonance contrast, width and light shift for the D1{D}_{1}D1​ line of 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb with varying buffer gases, and find good agreement with an analytical model of this resonance. The results suggest that NNN resonances are promising for atomic clock applications.
We report an experimental study of an all-optical three-photon-absorption resonance (known as an "N-resonance") and discuss its potential application as an alternative to atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping (CPT). We present measurements of the N-resonance contrast, width and light shift for /sup 87/Rb under various conditions including both D/sub 1/ and D/sub 2/ optical transitions. Under conditions such that first-order light shifts cancel, we observe promising short-term frequency stability (/spl sim/ 1.5 /spl times/ 10/sup -11/ /spl tau//sub - 1/2 /) for an N-resonance on the Di transition of /sup 87/ Rb vapor.
We present a joint theoretical and experimental characterization of the coherent population trapping (CPT) resonance excited on the D1{D}_{1}D1​ line of 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb atoms by bichromatic linearly polarized laser light. We observe high-contrast transmission resonances (up to $\ensuremath{\approx}25%$), which makes this excitation scheme promising for miniature all-optical atomic clock applications. We also demonstrate cancellation of the first-order light shift by proper choice of the frequencies and relative intensities of the two laser-field components. Our theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experimental results.
We report an experimental comparison of three-photon-absorption resonances (known as "N-resonances") for the D_1 and D_2 optical transitions of thermal 87Rb vapor. We find that the D_2 N-resonance has better contrast, a broader linewidth, and a more symmetric lineshape than the D_1 N-resonance. Taken together, these factors imply superior performance for frequency standards operating on alkali D_2 N-resonances, in contrast to coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances for which the D_2 transition provides poorer frequency standard performance than the D_1 transition.
An all-optical microwave frequency standard based on coherent population trapping (CPT) in 85Rb is developed. The CPT resonances are detected by an ordinary edge-emitting diode laser in a simple optical setup. A buffer-gas mixture is carefully optimized to yield a narrow linewidth and a reduced temperature dependence of the resonance frequency. With the developed system we are able to measure ultranarrow optically induced hyperfine CPT resonances at <20 Hz, which is in good agreement with the linewidth calculated from experimental parameters. The frequency of an RF-signal generator has been stabilized to the CPT resonance between the two mF=0 magnetic sublevels. The relative frequency stability (square root of Allan variance) follows a slope of 3.5×10-11 τ-1/2(1 s<τ<2000 s). The best stability of 6.4×10-13 is reached at an integration time of τ=2000 s. This stability is sufficient for many high-precision applications. Frequency-shift measurements were made to evaluate the frequency dependencies on the operation parameters.
This work reports for the first time development and experimental study of a laboratory prototype of an atomic clock with stability of 2×10–11τ –1/2 (Allan deviation) over time 1 s < τ < 1000 s (7×10–13 over 1000 s) on the basis of a coherent population trapping (CPT) resonance in 87Rb in a compact spherical cell having 1.3-cm diameter and without any buffer gas. Demonstrated are dependencies of the width of the studied CPT resonance upon the amplitude and modulation frequency of optical frequency difference (3.417 GHz) of a bichromatic circularly polarised pump field. For the first time, a considerable non-linearity was discovered in the dependence upon the reference difference frequency of the spectral position of the CPT resonance when the modulation frequency of the optical frequency difference is varied within a broad range.