Cold Atom Space Clock with Counter-Propagating Atoms

TL;DR

This paper proposes a space cold atom clock design using counter-propagating cold atoms in microgravity, aiming to improve accuracy by canceling frequency shifts and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio.

Contribution

It introduces a novel space clock configuration with counter-propagating atoms and MOTs, reducing collision shifts and cavity phase shift effects.

Findings

Design feasibility in microgravity environment.

Potential for improved clock stability and accuracy.

Reduction of collision and cavity phase shift effects.

Abstract

We discuss the feasibility to realize a space cold atom clock with counter-propagating cold atoms in microgravity. The design of the space clock is based on atomic beam clock with a Ramsey cavity, except a magneto-optical trap (MOT) is placed at each side. Cold atoms are launched from MOTs at both side of the clock simultaneously and move at counter-direction towards each other. The velocity of launched atoms is precisely controlled to the Ramsauer-Townsend resonance so that no additional collision frequency shift is taken place. Such a configuration can efficiently cancel the frequency shift led from cavity phase shift and increase the signal to noise.