A proof-of-concept model of compact and high-performance 87Sr optical lattice clock for space

Abstract

A compact and robust design of an optical lattice clock with high stability and accuracy is needed for the implementation of optical clocks operating on the space station. Here, we present the proof-of-concept model of a 87Sr optical lattice clock for space constructed at the National Time Service Center. The design is different from that of a laboratorial optical clock in that it focuses on the aspects of compactness and robustness, such as the modular design, compact components, low power consumption, and all-fiber links. The physics package is placed on an aluminum alloy rack with dimensions of 40 × 55 × 28 cm3. As far as we know, this is the most compact physics package of the Sr optical clock reported. The time interleaved self-comparison frequency instability is determined to be 2.6 × 10-15/τ.