Abstract
Time is one of the base SI unit and the most accurately measured physical quantity. Atomic optical frequency standards have been realized with 10−18 level of accuracy and stability (Ohmae et al., Advanced Quantum Technologies 4: 2100015, 2021), which are two orders of magnitude better compared to the present SI second, based on Cesium microwave standard. Such optical clocks are potential candidates for the re-definition of the SI second in the near future (https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/mises-en-pratique/standard-frequencies-second). However, smooth and effective transition of “Time” requires that more and more laboratories in various countries across the world are able to realize such optical clocks in their standards laboratory. Realization of such clocks requires an ultra-stable narrow linewidth laser, used as the oscillator for interrogating the clock transition in the atomic species. This necessity makes the development of a narrow linewidth ultra-stable laser oscillator, usually realized using a laser and a stable high-finesse cavity, an essential requirement. The present work describes various design requirements to realize such an oscillator that can be customized over a wide range of frequencies for interrogating different atomic species in optical domain. A practically realizable theoretical calculation has been presented, which should pave the way for in-house construction of the oscillator.
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Acknowledgements
Sandip Kumar Ghosh is grateful to university grants commission (UGC) for providing fellowship for this research work. Manoj Das is grateful to CSIR-National Physical Laboratory for providing support for this work.
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Ghosh, S.K., Panja, S. & Das, M. A Laser Based Universal Oscillator for Next Generation Optical Frequency Standards. MAPAN 38, 641–649 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-023-00651-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-023-00651-z