Rack-Integrated, Mountable Rubidium Optical Clock

ColdQuanta, Inc. in collaboration with its partner Vescent Photonics, LLC will build a Rack-Integrated, Mountable Rubidium Optical Clock (RIMROC) to serve as a portable, ultra-stable frequency reference. RIMROC leverages the industry-leading capability of both organizations in quantum atomic technology and integrated laser systems to form a frequency reference that brings both precision timing and environmental robustness into a single platform. The design builds upon previous efforts in optical clocks performed at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the NIST Atomic Devices and Instrumentation Group (NIST-ADI) that utilized a two-photon transition in warm vapor 87Rb. The approach is elegant in its simplicity but requires careful engineering to realize its full capability – the potential for frequency instabilities of < 1 × 10-13/ t 1/2 at small t and flicker floors of 1 × 10-15 at several days. ColdQuanta and Vescent Photonics are uniquely positioned to provide this level of performance in a compact form-factor given their nearly 40 years of combined quantum technology development. RIMROC will integrate Vescent’s industry-leading optical frequency comb hardware with ColdQuanta’s flight-qualified optomechanical technology into a 3U enclosure measuring less than 30 L. In their Phase II work, ColdQuanta and Vescent Photonics will develop two clock systems: The first, performed under the Base period, will bring together the key subsystems to demonstrate a two-photon optical clock on the bench and measure effects related to vibration-induced noise. The second, developed under the Option work, will be a packaging of the benchtop system into an integrated, single enclosure that is performance validated and delivered to the government. With the successful construction and delivery of the RIMROC prototype a monumental step will be taken towards advancing the United States capabilities in “all-things” timing as they relate to assured PNT, telecommunications, reconnaissance, and scientific research.