On Realization of an Extremely Small Shift of MR Frequency in a Wide Range of Operating Temperatures in Rubidium Atomic Clock on 87Rb Cell with Two Anti-Relaxation Components (Coating + Inert Gas, 40Ar)

Abstract

One of the most important problems in achieving daily frequency instability $$\sigma _{y} 70\, ^\circ{\rm C}$$, with an accuracy of < 0.005 °C for a day or more. To solve this problem, authors proposed a new type of 87Rb absorption cell with two dissimilar anti-relaxation (AR) components (wall coating + buffer gas, 40Ar) and created a special physical setup for optical spin pumping of 87Rb atoms at the microwave magnetic resonance frequency, $$\nu \sim \;6.834\,\;{\text{GHz}}$$, with a resolution $$0.01 \,\mathrm{H}\mathrm{z}$$. Investigations have shown TFS $$\sim 1.4 \cdot 10^{{ - 12}} /\;{{^\circ }} {\text{C}}$$ in significantly expanded (by an order of magnitude) zone, $$\Delta T$$ ≃ $$5 \left(\pm 1\right)\,\, ^\circ{\rm C} ,$$ in the operating temperature range of $$\left( {35 \div 41} \right)\;^{ \circ } {\text{C}},$$ which is ensured inside a satellite, for example. The simultaneous effect of AR-components causes the maximum mutual compensation of temperature frequency shifts in the extended ∆T zone. The experimental data show the possibility realizing daily frequency instability $$\sigma _{y} \sim 1 \cdot 10^{{ - 14}}$$ of the on-board atomic clock on 87Rb cell with two dissimilar AR-components (wall coating + inert gas, 40Ar).