Strontium Optical Lattice Clock Research Articles

Optical Lattice Clocks as Candidates for a Possible Redefinition of the SI Second

In this paper, we review several characteristics of optical lattice clocks as candidates for a future redefinition of the International System of Units (SI) second using an atomic transition in the optical domain, focusing on experiments performed at SYRTE using one mercury (Hg) and two strontium (Sr) optical lattice clocks. Beyond the technical aspects such as the stability and systematic frequency-shift assessments of the clocks, practical aspects have to be considered, such as the careful determination of the optical frequency with respect to the cesium primary standard and the worldwide reproducibility of the clock frequency by local and remote clock comparisons.

Delivering pulsed and phase stable light to atoms of an optical clock

In optical clocks, transitions of ions or neutral atoms are interrogated using pulsed ultra-narrow laser fields. Systematic phase chirps of the laser or changes of the optical path length during the measurement cause a shift of the frequency seen by the interrogated atoms. While the stabilization of cw-optical links is now a well established technique even on long distances, phase stable links for pulsed light pose additional challanges and have not been demonstrated so far. In addition to possible temperature or pressure drift of the laboratory, which may lead to a Doppler shift by steadily changing the optical path length, the pulsing of the clock laser light calls for short settling times of stabilization locks. Our optical path length stabilization uses retro-reflected light from a mirror that is fixed with respect to the interrogated atoms and synthetic signals during the dark time. Length changes and frequency chirps are compensated for by the switching AOM. For our strontium optical lattice clock we have ensured that the shift introduced by the fiber link including the pulsing acousto optic modulator is below $2\cdot 10^{-17}$.

Achieving strong doubling power by optical phase-locked Ti:sapphire laser and MOPA system

We show two external cavity-enhanced second-harmonic generations of 922 nm with periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate crystal, whose doubling cavities are locked separately with Hansch-Couillaud and intra-modulation methods. The outputs of second-harmonic generation reach 310 mW, 54.8% of the conversion efficiency from the Ti:sapphire laser with the crystal length of 10 mm, and 208 mW, 59% of the conversion efficiency from the MOPA system with the crystal length of 30 mm. It consists of heterodyning the Ti:sapphire laser and the MOPA system, and compares the phase of the beat frequency signal with the phase of a reference RF local oscillator. The resulting phase error is used as a feedback signal and fed back to the reference cavity of the Ti:sapphire laser to lock the two lasers in phase. A stable blue power of 520 mW is obtained, which supplies enough power for the cooling and trapping step of the strontium (Sr) optical lattice clock. Four stable isotopes of Sr, 84Sr, 86Sr, 87Sr, and 88Sr, are detected by probing the laser during a strong 460.7-nm cycling transition (5s21S0-5s5p1P1).

Observation and cancellation of a perturbing dc stark shift in strontium optical lattice clocks

We report on the observation of a dc Stark frequency shift at the 10-(13) level by comparing two strontium optical lattice clocks. This frequency shift arises from the presence of electric charges trapped on dielectric surfaces placed under vacuum close to the atomic sample. We show that these charges can be eliminated by shining UV light on the dielectric surfaces, and characterize the residual dc Stark frequency shift on the clock transition at the 10-(18) level by applying an external electric field. This study shows that the dc Stark shift can play an important role in the accuracy budget of lattice clocks, and should be duly taken into account.

Sr Lattice Clock at 1 × 10 –16 Fractional Uncertainty by Remote Optical Evaluation with a Ca Clock

Optical atomic clocks promise timekeeping at the highest precision and accuracy, owing to their high operating frequencies. Rigorous evaluations of these clocks require direct comparisons between them. We have realized a high-performance remote comparison of optical clocks over kilometer-scale urban distances, a key step for development, dissemination, and application of these optical standards. Through this remote comparison and a proper design of lattice-confined neutral atoms for clock operation, we evaluate the uncertainty of a strontium (Sr) optical lattice clock at the 1 x 10(-16) fractional level, surpassing the current best evaluations of cesium (Cs) primary standards. We also report on the observation of density-dependent effects in the spin-polarized fermionic sample and discuss the current limiting effect of blackbody radiation-induced frequency shifts.