Review of chip-scale atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping

Research on chip-scale atomic clocks （CSACs） based on coherent population trapping （CPT） is reviewed. The back- ground and the inspiration for the research are described, including the important schemes proposed to improve the CPT signal quality, the selection of atoms and buffer gases, and the development of micro-cell fabrication. With regard to the re- liability, stability, and service life of the CSACs, the research regarding the sensitivity of the CPT resonance to temperature and laser power changes is also reviewed, as well as the CPT resonance＇s collision and light of frequency shifts. The first generation CSACs have already been developed but its characters are still far from our expectations. Our conclusion is that miniaturization and power reduction are the most important aspects calling for further research.

High contrast atomic magnetometer based on coherent population trapping

We present an experimental and theoretical investigation of the coherent population trapping （CPT） resonance excited on the D1 line of 87Rb atoms by bichromatic linearly polarized laser light. The experimental results show that a lin｜｜lin tran- sition scheme is a promising alternative to the conventional circular-circular transition scheme for an atomic magnetometer. Compared with the circular light transition scheme, linear light accounts for high-contrast transmission resonances, which makes this excitation scheme promising for high-sensitivity magnetometers. We also use linear light and circular light to detect changes of a standard magnetic field, separately.

Atomic magnetometer with microfabricated vapor cells based on coherent population trapping

An atomic magnetometer based on coherent population trapping(CPT) resonances in microfabricated vapor cells is demonstrated. Fabricated by the micro-electro-mechanical-system(MEMS) technology, the cells are filled with Rb and Ne at a controlled pressure. An experimental apparatus is built for characterizing properties of microfabricated vapor cells via the CPT effects. The typical CPT linewidth is measured to be about 3 k Hz(1.46 k Hz with approximately zero laser intensity) for the rubidium D1 line at about 90℃. The effects of pressure, temperature and laser intensity on CPT linewidth are studied experimentally. A closed-loop atomic magnetometer is finally finished with a sensitivity of 210.5 p T/Hz1/2 at 1 Hz bandwidth. This work paves the way for developing an integrated chip-scale atomic magnetometer in the future.

Ramsey-coherent population trapping Cs atomic clock based on lin‖lin optical pumping with dispersion detection

A Cs vapor cell-based atomic clock that uses a lin‖lin pumping scheme with dispersion detection is reported. This atomic clock shows potential for high performance because of its high contrast pumping scheme, and for miniaturization because of its simple architecture. The experimental setup and optimal operating parameters for the clock are introduced.The current fractional frequency stability is measured to be 1.3 × 10^-12/■ up to 20s and reaches 3.1 × 10^-13 at 200 s. We have thoroughly investigated the related noise sources that affect clock frequency stability at the 1s and 100s levels. The investigation shows that the laser frequency noise limits the clock frequency stability significantly. The clock performance can be further improved by technically upgrading the laser frequency stabilization setup.

High-performance coherent population trapping clock based on laser-cooled atoms

We present a coherent population trapping clock system based on laser-cooled^(87)Rb atoms.The clock consists of a frequency-stabilized CPT interrogation laser and a cooling laser as well as a compact magneto-optical trap,a highperformance microwave synthesizer,and a signal detection system.The resonance signal in the continuous wave regime exhibits an absorption contrast of~50%.In the Ramsey interrogation method,the linewidth of the central fringe is31.25 Hz.The system achieves fractional frequency stability of 2.4×10^(-11)/(√τ),which goes down to 1.8×10^(-13)at 20000 s.The results validate that cold atom interrogation can improve the long-term frequency stability of coherent population trapping clocks and holds the potential for developing compact/miniature cold atoms clocks.

Dependence of the ^(85)Rb coherent population trapping resonance characteristic on the pressure of N_2 buffer gas

In order to exploit its potential applications, we experimentally study the dependence of ^85 Rb-based coherent population trapping （CPTi resonance on N2 buffer gas with 6 vapor cells filled with natural rubidium and N2. The experiments are carried out at different pressures and temperatures, and the results reveal that higher cell temperature makes the resonance more sensitive to N2 pressure. Thus, it is importmlt to choose a proper buffer gas pressure at a given cell temperature. This work provides valuable data for the application of 85Rb CPT resonance with a buffer gas of N2.

Coherent population trapping magnetometer by differential detecting magneto–optic rotation effect

A pocket coherent population trapping（CPT） atomic magnetometer scheme that uses a vertical cavity surface emitting laser as a light source is proposed and experimentally investigated.Using the differential detecting magneto–optic rotation effect,a CPT spectrum with the background canceled and a high signal-to-noise ratio is obtained.The experimental results reveal that the sensitivity of the proposed scheme can be improved by half an order,and the ability to detect weak magnetic fields is extended one-fold.Therefore,the proposed scheme is suited to realize a pocket-size CPT magnetometer.

Atomic population distribution of excited states in He electrodeless discharge lamp

Population ratios between excited states are measured to build the excited state Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter(ESFADOF). We calculate these values between the excited states according to the spontaneous transition probabilities using rate equations and the measured intensities of fluorescence spectral lines of He atoms in an electrodeless discharge lamp in the visible spectral region from 350 to 730 nm. The electrodeless discharge lamp with populations in excited states can be used to realize the frequency stabilization reference of the laser frequency standard. This lamp can also build ESFADOFs for submarine communication application in the blue-green wavelength to simplify the system without the use of a pump laser.

Atomic Coherent Trapping and Properties of Trapped Atom

Based on the theory of velocity-selective coherent population trapping, we investigate an atom-laser system where a pair of counterpropagating laser fields interact with a three-level atom. The influence of the parametric condition on the properties of the system such as velocity at which the atom is selected to be trapped, time needed for finishing the coherent trapping process, and possible electromagnetically induced transparency of an altrocold atomic medium, etc., is studied.

Integrated physics package of a chip-scale atomic clock

The physics package of a chip-scale atomic clock （CSAC） has been successfully realized by integrating vertical cavity surface emitting laser （VCSEL）, neutral density （ND） filter, λ/4 wave plate, 87Rb vapor cell, photodiode （PD）, and magnetic coil into a cuboid metal package with a volume of about 2.8 cm3. In this physics package, the critical component, 87Rb vapor cell, is batch-fabricated based on MEMS technology and in-situ chemical reaction method. Pt heater and thermistors are integrated in the physics package. A PTFE pillar is used to support the optical elements in the physics package, in order to reduce the power dissipation. The optical absorption spectrum of 87Rb D1 line and the microwave frequency correction signal are successfully observed while connecting the package with the servo circuit system. Using the above mentioned packaging solution, a CSAC with short-term frequency stability of about 7 × 10^-10τ-1/2 has been successfully achieved, which demonstrates that this physics package would become one promising solution for the CSAC.

Stable ^(85)Rb micro vapour cells:fabrication based on anodic bonding and application in chip-scale atomic clocks

We describe the microfabrication of ^85Rb vapour cells using a glass-silicon anodic bonding technique and in situ chemical reaction between rubidium chloride and barium azide to produce Rb. Under controlled conditions, the pure metallic Rb drops and buffer gases were obtained in the cells with a few mm^3 internal volumes during the cell sealing process. At an ambient temperature of 90 ℃ the optical absorption resonance of ^85Rb D1 transition with proper broadening and the corresponding coherent population trapping （CPT） resonance, with a signal contrast of 1.5% and linewidth of about 1.7 kHz, have been detected. The sealing quality and the stability of the cells have also been demonstrated experimentally by using the helium leaking detection and the after-9-month optoelectronics measurement which shows a similar CPT signal as its original status. In addition, the physics package of chip-scale atomic clock （CSAC） based on the cell was realized. The measured frequency stability of the physics package can reach to 2.1 × 10^-10 at one second when the cell was heated to 100 ℃ which proved that the cell has the quality to be used in portable and battery-operated devices.

Theoretical analysis of suppressing Dick effect in Ramsey-CPT atomic clock by interleaving lock

For most pulsed atomic clocks, the Dick effect is one of the main limits to reach its frequency stability limitation due to quantum projection noise. In this paper, we measure the phase noise of the local oscillator in the Ramsey-CPT atomic clock and calculate the Dick effect induced Allan deviation based on a three-level atomic model, which is quite different from typical atomic clocks. We further present a detailed analysis of optimizing the sensitivity function and minimizing the Dick effect by interleaving lock. By optimizing the duty circle of laser pulses, average time during detection and optical intensity of laser beam, the Dick effect induced Allan deviation can be reduced to the level of 10 14.

Coherent Assembly of Ultracold Polyatomic Molecules: Two-Channel Interference

The evidences of three-body and four-body bound states have been reported in a series of very recent experiments with ultracold atoms.Here we study coherent creation of polyatomic molecules via a generalized atom-molecule dark-state technique.By keeping the intermediate trimer or tetramer state essentially unpopulated,the constructive quantum two-channel interference is shown to play an important role in,e.g.coherent atom-pentamer conversion at ultracold temperature.

Transient responses of transparency in a far-off resonant atomic system

Transient coherent oscillations in a closed A system under far-off resonant Raman fields were investigated theoreti- cally. It has been found that the coherent superposition of the ground states can be formed due to the absorption even for initial maximal mixed ground states. The absorption oscillates with a period depending on the two-photon detuning when the system is initially in a transparent state and the two-photon Raman detuning is suddenly changed. The amplitude of the absorption decays with the decay rate of the ground states, which is different from the case when the lasers are applied resonantly. These transient coherent oscillations can be used to measure the relaxation rate of the ground states.

Exploring the effect of aggregation-induced emission on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer for a bis-imine derivative by quantum mechanics and our own n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics calculations

We theoretically investigate the excited state intramolecular proton transfer(ESIPT) behavior of the novel fluorophore bis-imine derivative molecule HNP which was designed based on the intersection of 1-(hydrazonomethyl)-naphthalene-2-ol and 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde. Especially, the density functional theory(DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory(TDDFT) methods for HNP monomer are introduced. Moreover, the "our own n-layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics"(ONIOM) method(TDDFT:universal force field(UFF)) is used to reveal the aggregation-induced emission(AIE) effect on the ESIPT process for HNP in crystal. Our results confirm that the ESIPT process happens upon the photoexcitation for the HNP monomer and HNP in crystal, which is distinctly monitored by the optimized geometric structures and the potential energy curves. In addition, the results of potential energy curves reveal that the ESIPT process in HNP will be promoted by the AIE effect. Furthermore, the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO) for the HNP monomer and HNP in crystal have been calculated. The calculation demonstrates that the electron density decrease of proton donor caused by excitation promotes the ESIPT process. In addition, we find that the variation of atomic dipole moment corrected Hirshfeld population(ADCH) charge for proton acceptor induced by the AIE effect facilitates the ESIPT process. The results will be expected to deepen the understanding of ESIPT dynamics for luminophore under the AIE effect and provide insight into future design of high-efficient AIE compounds.

冷原子光栅磁光阱的研制及CPT信号的探询

相干布居囚禁原子钟在小型化方面具备不可替代的优势。由于热原子气室内部高压缓冲气体的限制,导致其频率稳定度仍有进一步提升的空间。利用激光冷却原子技术作为替代,可以有效提升其中长期性能。然而,目前的冷原子物理系统仍然相对复杂,不利于原子钟整体系统的集成化和小型化。我们研制了高衍射效率光栅芯片、平面磁阱芯片以及微小型真空腔室,共同构建基于平面核心器件的磁光阱,利用单光束捕获冷原子2×106个。此外,为了简化CPT冷原子钟的激光系统,通过单激光结合时分复用系统的方式,仅用单一Rb D2线激光实现了原子冷却与CPT探询。以上的工作为将来实现微小型化高性能冷原子CPT钟的最终锁定和性能评估奠定了重要理论和技术基础。

CPT原子磁力仪转向差及其标定补偿

CPT原子磁力仪具有无方向盲区,并且在磁感应强度方向变化时可连续测量无需模式切换的特点,特别适合搭载在卫星、直升机等平台进行拖曳式探测。但是CPT原子磁力仪存在转向差问题,且探头剩磁干扰会影响转向差的补偿精度,进而影响其使用性能。本文针对CPT原子磁力仪转向差问题,分析了转向差机理,建立了探头剩磁补偿模型并进行了补偿,使用粒子群算法估计了剩磁参数,并使用剩磁补偿后的转向差离散点进行三次样条插值得到转向差曲线。试验结果表明:算法估计的探头剩磁在旋转面的投影分量大小为0.344 nT,方向与探头轴线垂直。在剩磁补偿前后,转向差补偿后的残差标准差由0.288 nT减小到0.132 nT,标准差减小了54%,有效提高了CPT原子磁力仪的使用性能。

微型CPT原子钟泵浦方法试验研究

CPT原子钟是一种基于相干布居囚禁(CPT)原理的小型原子钟,其不含微波谐振腔的特点有利于降低物理系统的体积与功耗。为探索适用于微型CPT原子钟的泵浦方法,在物理系统体积、功耗和复杂度的限制下,选出单一圆偏振光、平行线偏振光和椭圆偏振光三种方法。基于6 mm×6 mm×6 mm的微型87Rb原子气室,搭建桌面系统测得三种方法下CPT共振信号的线宽和信噪比数据。结果表明微型CPT原子钟更适合采用椭圆偏振光方法。

基于相干布居囚禁的毫特级磁场测量方法研究

提出了一种基于相干布居囚禁原理的毫特级磁场测量方法,通过线偏振激光与^(87)Rb原子相互作用,得到磁场下因核自旋引起分裂的CPT共振信号,并根据分裂开的两个CPT共振信号进行磁场测量,该方法可以消除高次塞曼效应引起的非线性误差,从而提高磁场测量的准确度,可为量子化毫特级恒定磁场标准的建立提供了一种新的技术方案。

相干布居数囚禁原子频标的实现及相关实验参数研究

原子频标要求高信噪比和窄线宽的鉴频信号,但对于被动型相干囚禁态原子频标(CPT频标),改善鉴频信号信噪比以增加线宽为代价,因此选择合适的信噪比和线宽组合是研制CPT原子频标频标的重要环节。文章介绍了用桌面CPT频标系统地研究了鉴频信号与温度、光强等参数的关系所获得的研究结果,由此获得了合适选取的信噪比与线宽组合的依据。文章还给出了关于光源非理想偏振导致的消相干效应对CPT频标的影响所开展的实验结果。文章所提供的研究结果不仅帮助我们研制成功了CPT频标,而且对于CPT物理现象研究和其他CPT频标的研制也有参考价值。