Demonstration of a free space rubidium atomic clock with noise below the quantum projection limit

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a free space rubidium atomic clock utilizing spin-squeezed states to achieve noise levels below the quantum projection limit, enhancing phase sensitivity and frequency stability.

Contribution

It introduces a method to generate and detect spin-squeezed states in free space atomic clocks, surpassing quantum noise limits in phase and frequency measurements.

Findings

Single-shot phase sensitivity 5.8 dB below quantum projection limit

Frequency stability 3.8 dB below quantum projection limit

Resolved phase with fluorescence imaging after 4 ms free fall

Abstract

A technique is demonstrated that allows free space atomic fountain clocks and interferometers to utilize optical cavity generated spin-squeezed states with over $390\,000$ ${}^{87}\text{Rb}$ atoms. Fluorescence imaging is used for population spectroscopy, after a free fall time of 4 milliseconds, to resolve a single-shot phase sensitivity of $814 (61)$ microradians, which is $5.8(0.6)$ decibels (dB) below the quantum projection limit. The dynamic range is observed to be 100 milliradians. When operating as a microwave atomic clock with $240\,000$ atoms at a 3.6 ms Ramsey time, a single-shot fractional frequency stability of $8.4(0.2)\times10^{-12}$ is reported, $3.8(0.2)$ dB below the quantum projection limit.