Development of a Miniature Laser-Cooled Cs Fountain Frequency Standard at NIST

摘要

We are developing a small laser-cooled Cs fountain at NIST with the goal of achieving exceptional short-term stability of σ(y)(τ)≈2x10~(-14)τ~(-1/2) with a long-term stability of ≈ 10~(-15). Although this device is not designed to achieve the accuracy of the NIST primary frequency standard NIST-F1, this small, portable system will prove valuable as a local oscillator with intermediate accuracy. Here we discuss the performance goals of this frequency standard, the design philosophy, the existing physics package, and future directions.