Portable Rubidium Fountain

P. D. Kunz, T. P. Heavner, and S. R. Jefferts

Abstract:	We are developing a transportable laser-cooled rubidium (Rb) atomic fountain frequency standard. Over the last year, we have built the Ramsey cavity and rubidium source oven and are preparing to assemble the physics package. We have also made numerous refinements to the laser package, including transitioning to a new style of laser diode, vastly improving the optical phase-locked loops (OPLL), and improving the optical spatial mode to get more power out of the optical fibers. These refinements have enabled the laser cooling to collect many more atoms, which will improve the fountain’s signal-to-noise ratio.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting November 15 - 18, 2010 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	315 - 320
Cite this article:	Kunz, P. D., Heavner, T. P., Jefferts, S. R., "Portable Rubidium Fountain," Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, November 2010, pp. 315-320.
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