Chinese Optics Letters, Volume. 8, Issue 8, 735(2010)
Cold atom space clock with counter-propagating atoms
We discuss the feasibility of realizing a cold atom space clock with counter-propagating cold atoms in microgravity. The design of the space clock is based on an atomic beam clock with Ramsey cavity, except that magneto-optical trap (MOT) is placed at each side. Cold atoms are launched simultaneously from the MOTs at both sides of the clock and they move at the counter-direction towards each other. The velocity of the launched atoms is precisely controlled to Ramsauer-Townsend resonance so that no additional collision frequency shift takes place. Such configuration can efficiently cancel the frequency shift resulting from cavity phase shift and increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
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Desheng Lv, Bin Wang, Tang Li, Liang Liu. Cold atom space clock with counter-propagating atoms[J]. Chinese Optics Letters, 2010, 8(8): 735
Received: Dec. 4, 2009
Accepted: --
Published Online: Aug. 12, 2010
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