An ion trap design for a space-deployable strontium-ion optical clock

TL;DR

This paper presents a design for a compact, space-deployable strontium-ion optical clock, including simulations of its robustness against launch conditions and insights into optimizing trap efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel ion trap design and comprehensive modeling approaches for a portable optical clock suitable for space deployment.

Findings

Finite element modeling shows robustness against launch conditions.

Electrostatic analysis optimizes trap geometries for efficiency.

Design achieves target frequency uncertainty below 10^-18.

Abstract

Optical atomic clocks demonstrate a better stability and lower systematic uncertainty than the highest performance microwave atomic clocks. However, the best performing optical clocks have a large footprint in a laboratory environment and require specialist skills to maintain continuous operation. Growing and evolving needs across several sectors are increasing the demand for compact robust and portable devices at this capability level. In this paper we discuss the design of a physics package for a compact laser-cooled 88Sr+ optical clock that would, with further development, be suitable for space deployment. We review the design parameters to target a relative frequency uncertainty at the low parts in 10^18 with this system. We then explain the results of finite element modelling to simulate the response of the ion trap and vacuum chamber to vibration, shock and thermal conditions expected during launch and space deployment. Additionally, an electrostatic model has been developed to investigate the relationship between the ion trap geometrical tolerances and the trapping efficiency. We present the results from these analyses that have led to the design of a more robust prototype ready for experimental testing.