Related papers: Phase Analysis for Frequency Standards in the Micr…
We consider a scenario in which qubit-like probes are used to sense an external field that linearly affects their energy splitting. Following the frequency estimation approach in which one optimizes the state and sensing time of the probes…
The pursuit of ever more precise measures of time and frequency is likely to lead to the eventual redefinition of the second in terms of an optical atomic transition. To ensure continuity with the current definition, based on a microwave…
A fundamental parameter to determine how electromagnetic waves interfere is their relative phase. Therefore, achieving a fine control over it enables a wide range of interferometric applications. Existing phase control methods rely on…
As a consequence of a general trend in the physics of oscillators and clocks towards optics, phase and frequency metrology is rapidly moving to optics too. Yet, optics is not replacing the traditional radio-frequency (RF) and microwave…
The counting and control of optical cycles of light has become common with modelocked laser frequency combs. But even with advances in laser technology, modelocked laser combs remain bulk-component devices that are hand-assembled. In…
A new method for examining the possible space-time variation of the fine structure constant ($\alpha$) is proposed. The technique uses a relatively simple measurement with an optical resonator to compare atom-stabilized optical frequency…
We present here a new method based on a transfer of population by adiabatic passage that allows to prepare cold atomic samples with a well defined ratio of atomic density and atom number. This method is used to perform a measurement of the…
For the optical generation of ultrastable microwave signals for fountain clocks we developed a setup, which is based on a cavity stabilized laser and a commercial frequency comb. The robust system, in operation since 2020, is locked to a…
We describe and characterize a simple, low cost, low phase noise microwave source that operates near 6.800 GHz for agile, coherent manipulation of ensembles of 87Rb. Low phase noise is achieved by directly multiplying a low phase noise 100…
We have demonstrated the possibility for a compact frequency standard based on a sample of cold cesium atoms. In a cylindrical microwave cavity, the atoms are cooled and interrogated during a free expansion and then detected. The operation…
In 2003 we have measured the absolute frequency of the $(1S, F=1, m_F=\pm 1) \leftrightarrow (2S, F'=1, m_F'=\pm 1)$ two-photon transition in atomic hydrogen. We observed a variation of $(-29\pm 57)$ Hz over a 44 months interval separating…
We stabilise a microwave oscillator at 9.6 GHz to an optical clock laser at 344 THz by using a fibre-based femtosecond laser frequency comb as a transfer oscillator. With a second frequency comb we measure independently the instability of…
We propose a new frequency standard based on a $4f^{14} 6s6p~ ^3\!P_0 - 4f^{13} 6s^2 5d ~(J=2)$ transition in neutral Yb. This transition has a potential for high stability and accuracy and the advantage of the highest sensitivity among…
Recently, several theoretical proposals adressed the generation of an active optical frequency standard based on atomic ensembles trapped in an optical lattice potential inside an optical resonator. Using atoms with a narrow linewidth…
We present the new absolute frequency measurement of ytterbium (171Yb) obtained at INRiM with the optical lattice clock IT-Yb1 against the cryogenic caesium (133Cs) fountain IT-CsF2, evaluated through a measurement campaign that lasted 14…
We describe experiments with an optical frequency standard based on a laser cooled $^{171}$Yb$^+$ ion confined in a radiofrequency Paul trap. The electric-quadrupole transition from the $^2S_{1/2}(F=0)$ ground state to the $^2D_{3/2}(F=2)$…
We describe a new method to determine the position of the atomic cloud during its interaction with the microwave field in the cavity of a fountain clock. The positional information is extracted from the spectrum of the F=3,mF=0 to F=4,mF=-1…
We experimentally investigate an optical frequency standard based on the 467 nm (642 THz) electric-octupole reference transition 2S1/2(F=0) -> F7/2(F=3) in a single trapped 171Yb+ ion. The extraordinary features of this transition result…
We have detected coherent quantum oscillations between Josephson phase qubits and microscopic critical-current fluctuators by implementing a new state readout technique that is an order of magnitude faster than previous methods. The period…
A two-photon transition in laser-cooled and trapped calcium atoms is proposed as the atomic reference in an optical frequency standard. An efficient scheme for interrogation of the frequency standard is described, and the sensitivity of the…