Abstract
This thesis reports on the experimental characterisation of an optically interrogated microwave frequency reference based on a compact source of cold atoms. The work addresses a method of reducing the complexity of cold-atom systems, plus the phase-sensitive optical interrogation of a microwave transition in rubidium.
Laser-cooling has provided the means for many significant developments in precision metrology, but the optical apparatus required is often large and bulky. The grating magneto-optical trap is a promising candidate for the realisation of a field-grade platform, from which we could build a portable atomic clock. The grating-MOT provided 10^7 rubidium atoms, cooled to sub-Doppler temperatures, as a test-bed for the characterisation of a microwave clock. The microwave interrogation of the ground state frequency splitting was applied optically using Ramsey-like interferometry and coherent population trapping technique in the Lin-Lin polarisation scheme. The theory and experimental techniques that were applied in the development of this system are described, and the short-term stability of the unlocked CPT apparatus is presented.
Laser-cooling has provided the means for many significant developments in precision metrology, but the optical apparatus required is often large and bulky. The grating magneto-optical trap is a promising candidate for the realisation of a field-grade platform, from which we could build a portable atomic clock. The grating-MOT provided 10^7 rubidium atoms, cooled to sub-Doppler temperatures, as a test-bed for the characterisation of a microwave clock. The microwave interrogation of the ground state frequency splitting was applied optically using Ramsey-like interferometry and coherent population trapping technique in the Lin-Lin polarisation scheme. The theory and experimental techniques that were applied in the development of this system are described, and the short-term stability of the unlocked CPT apparatus is presented.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | PhD |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisors/Advisors |
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Award date | 9 Dec 2019 |
Place of Publication | Glasgow |
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Publication status | Published - 9 Dec 2019 |
Keywords
- optical spectroscopy
- atomic clock
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Data for: "Phase-sensitive optical spectroscopy of a laser-cooled, microwave atomic clock"
Elvin, R. (Creator) & Griffin, P. (Supervisor), University of Strathclyde, 7 Sept 2020
DOI: 10.15129/203e5872-3a61-4eb1-98f7-b52e86f5cbe3
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