DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RB CLOCKS IN OBSERVATOIRE DE NEUCHÂTEL

摘要

We present our ongoing development of a compact (<1.5 liters) and high-performance (10~(-14)rnat 10~4 s) laser-pumped rubidium clock for space applications like, e.g., satellite navigationrnsystems (GALILEO). A compact laser head was developed that includes frequency stabilizationrnof the pump light to a reference cell. Recent clock stability results obtained with this laser headrnreach 2·10~(-13) at 1000s, limited mainly by residual cell temperature coefficients and light shiftrneffects. We discuss strategies to overcome these limitations and the relationship between thernstabilities of the pump laser and the clock. Comparisons of the laser and clock frequencyrnstabilities are presented for stabilization to both Doppler and sub-Doppler spectroscopy.