A simplified optical lattice clock

TL;DR

This paper presents a simplified optical lattice clock using semiconductor lasers and a novel method for transition detection, making the technology more portable and easier to operate.

Contribution

It introduces a Sr lattice clock based solely on semiconductor lasers and a new transition finding method that reduces hardware complexity.

Findings

Clock signals achieved with semiconductor lasers

Identification of density-dependent collisions in Sr-88 atoms

Reduced hardware requirements for optical lattice clocks

Abstract

Existing optical lattice clocks demonstrate a high level of performance, but they remain complex experimental devices. In order to address a wider range of applications including those requiring transportable devices, it will be necessary to simplify the laser systems and reduce the amount of support hardware. Here we demonstrate two significant steps towards this goal: demonstration of clock signals from a Sr lattice clock based solely on semiconductor laser technology, and a method for finding the clock transition (based on a coincidence in atomic wavelengths) that removes the need for extensive frequency metrology hardware. Moreover, the unexpected high contrast in the signal revealed evidence of density dependent collisions in Sr-88 atoms.