Ramsey-Bordé atom interferometry with a thermal strontium beam for a compact optical clock
O. Fartmann1, M. Jutisz1, A. Mahdian1, V. Schkolnik1, I.C. Tietje1, C. Zimmermann1 and M. Krutzik1,2
Published in:
EPJ Quantum Technol., vol. 12, art. 31, doi:10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00332-7 (2025).
Abstract:
Compact optical atomic clocks have become increasingly important in field applications and clock networks. Systems based on Ramsey-Bordé interferometry (RBI) with a thermal atomic beam seem promising to fill a technology gap in optical atomic clocks, as they offer higher stability than optical vapour cell clocks while being less complex than cold atomic clocks.
Here, we demonstrate RBI with strontium atoms, utilizing the narrow 1S0→3P1 intercombination line at 689 nm, yielding a 60 kHz broad spectral feature. The obtained Ramsey fringes for varying laser power are analyzed and compared with a numerical model. The 1S0→1P1 transition at 461 nm is used for fluorescence detection. Analyzing the slope of the RBI signal and the fluorescence detection noise yields an estimated short-term stability of
< 4×10–14 ⁄ √τ ⁄ 1 s. We present our experimental setup in detail, including the atomic beam source, frequency-modulation spectroscopy to lock the 461 nm laser, laser power stabilization and the high-finesse cavity pre-stabilization of the 689 nm laser.
Our system serves as a ground testbed for future clock systems in mobile and space applications.
1 Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
2 Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH), Gustav-Kirchhoff-Straße 4, Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
Keywords:
Clocks; Frequency standard; Oven; Ramsey; Atom interferometer; Electron-shelving detection; Strontium; Cavity; Atomic beam; Frequency modulation spectroscopy
© The Author(s) 2025.
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