Realisation of a Frequency Standard Using an Atomic Fountain

Michaud, A.; Chowdhury, M.; Zetie, K. P.; Cooper, C. J.; Hillenbrand, G.; Lorent, V.; Steane, A.; Foot, C. J.

Realisation of a Frequency Standard Using an Atomic Fountain

Authors

Description

We report the realisation and preliminary study of a frequency standard using a fountain of laser cooled caesium atoms. Our apparatus uses a magneto-optical trap as a source of cold atoms and optical pumping to prepare the atoms in the correct state before they enter the microwave cavity.
Keywords: Atomic clock, atomic fountain, laser cooling