Oscilloquartz to Reveal Major Advances in Development of Optically Pumped Cesium Beam Atomic Clock
PTTI Demo Will Show How Ten-Fold Increase in Frequency Stability Revolutionizes Timing for Metrology, Defense and Telecom Applications
- Speaker: Alain Michaud, director, R&D and PLM, time and frequency, Oscilloquartz
- Topic: Development of a High Performance Optically-Pumped Cesium Beam Clock for Ground Applications
- When: Thursday, February 2, 2:45 p.m.
- Where: Precise Time and Time Interval Meeting, The Hyatt Regency, Monterey, California, USA
Primary reference clocks (PRCs) are used in many applications that require long-term frequency stability. Current commercial PRCs still utilize magnetic deflection of a thermal cesium beam, which either limits frequency stability or reduces clock lifetime to as little as five years. Optical pumping has been demonstrated to improve the frequency stability of cesium beam clocks without compromising lifetime but up to now no commercial products have been marketed.
Oscilloquartz has now developed an optically pumped cesium beam clock to meet the stringent timing needs of metrology, defense, space and telecom applications. A prototype has been fully assembled and integrated. It is now functional and the final qualification test campaign has been started. Results show that the new product achieves a tenfold stability improvement over current magnetic deflection atomic clocks.