Optical System for Precision Atomic Clocks and Stable Oscillators

ABSTRACT: Calcium atomic clocks have been developed over 20+ years to be reliable workhorse optical atomic clocks in the laboratory. Our proposal is based on the well-understood NIST Calcium MOT experiment, in the fast-cycling, single stage cooling configuration that was used in its last few years as a workhorse reference. The main objective is to engineer an optical system based on the NIST Calcium clock configuration with Allan Deviation<10-14 & #8730; & #61556; and a fundamentally robust configuration, so further engineering can make it reliable and space qualifiable. Our system will have three lasers, two of which are an all fiber, all PM, Erbium fiber comb and a diode-pumped Nd laser, both of which have demonstrated robustness and reliability, measured by long lock times to stable references and use in tough environments. Calcium is the optimal atom for this application, from a the perspectives of signal to noise and technology. BENEFIT: More satble clocks will contribute directly to improved position accuracy in GPS systems, improved navigation, time distribution and many scientific applications such as measurements of the change in time of valuesof fundamental constants.