Pulsed-CPT Cs-Ne microcell atomic clock with frequency stability below 2 × 10 −12 at 10 5 s

Abstract

We report on the mid-term stability progress of a table-top coherent population trapping (CPT) microcell atomic clock, previously limited by light-shift effects and variations of the cell's inner atmosphere. The light-shift contribution is now mitigated through the use of a pulsed symmetric auto-balanced Ramsey (SABR) interrogation technique, combined with setup temperature, laser power, and microwave power stabilization. In addition, Ne buffer gas pressure variations in the cell are now greatly reduced through the use of a micro-fabricated cell built with low permeation alumino-silicate glass (ASG) windows. Combining these approaches, the clock Allan deviation is measured to be 1.4 × 10 −12 at 10 5 s. This stability level at one day is competitive with the best current microwave microcell-based atomic clocks.