Application of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers in self-oscillating atomic clocks

Abstract

We discuss practical aspects of building atomic clocks consisting of an optoelectronic oscillator stabilized with the electromagnetically induced transparency resonance in a 87Rb atomic vapour cell, where a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) is used as a light source. In particular, we show how the variable microwave power injection into the VCSEL, its optical injection-locking, and the phase stability of the optical-microwave link influences the stability of the clocks.