Progress Update of Laser-Cooled Rubidium Clock
Abstract
We are developing a cold rubidium clock that will use the quantum entanglement technique of spin squeezing to measure a clock signal to better precision than a conventional (non-entangled) measurement. As a first step, we assembled and validated a laser cooling and trapping scheme to interrogate a cloud of rubidium atoms. In this report, we discuss our work characterizing the initial experimental setup, which is built around a commercial magneto-optical trap that uses magnetic fields and our laser scheme to collect the atoms. Over the course of several months we refined the laser cooling and trapping frequencies, laser powers, associated optics, and electronics. We report an atom loading time as low as 0.5 s and a trap number of several billion rubidium atoms. This is comparable to reported parameters in similar rubidium systems and demonstrates a critical step in developing a cold atom clock. We conclude with an outline of the envisioned next stage of the experiment, where we will demonstrate a baseline clock signal and upgrade the trap apparatus with a custom science chamber.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1159606
Entities
People
- Adam Black
- Roy Ready
- Russell Bradley
- Scott Crane
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory