Clocks based on cold atoms offer unbeatable accuracy and long-term stability, but their use in portable quantum technologies is hampered by a large physical footprint. Here, we use the compact optical layout of a grating magneto-optical trap (gMOT) for a precise frequency reference. The gMOT collects 10 7 87 Rb atoms, which are subsequently cooled to 20 µK in optical molasses. We optically probe the microwave atomic ground-state splitting using lin⊥lin polarised coherent population trapping and a Raman-Ramsey sequence. With ballistic drop distances of only 0.5 mm, the measured short-term fractional frequency stability is 2 × 10 −11 / √ τ , with prospects for 2 × 10 −13 / √ τ at the quantum projection noise limit.arXiv:1909.04361v1 [physics.atom-ph]

The combination of coherent population trapping (CPT) and laser cooled atoms is a promising platform for realizing the next generation of compact atomic frequency references. Towards this goal, we have developed an apparatus based on the grating magneto-optical trap (GMOT) and the high-contrast lin ⊥ lin CPT scheme in order to explore the performance that can be achieved. One important trade-off for cold-atom systems arises from the need to simultaneously maximize the number of cold atoms available for interrogation and the repetition rate of the system. This compromise can be mitigated by recapturing cold atoms from cycle to cycle. Here, we report a quantitative characterization of the cold atom number in the recapture regime for our system, which will enable us to optimize this trade-off. We also report recent measurements of the short-term frequency stability with a short-term Allan deviation of 3 × 10 −11 / √ τ up to an averaging time of τ = 10 s.

We demonstrate aqueous refractive index sensing with 15 to 30 µm diameter silicon nitride microdisk resonators to detect small concentrations of Li salt. A dimpled-tapered fiber is used to couple 780 nm visible light to the microdisks, in order to perform spectroscopy their optical resonances. The dimpled fiber probe allows testing of multiple devices on a chip in a single experiment. This sensing system is versatile and easy to use, while remaining competitive with other refractometric sensors. For example, from a 20 µm diameter device we measure a sensitivity of 200 ± 30 nm/RIU with a loaded quality factor of 1.5 × 10 4 , and a limit of detection down to (1.3 ± 0.1) × 10 −6 RIU.Optical whispering-gallery mode (WGM) resonators are an area under avid research as they promise fast, sensitive and label-free detection of chemical and biological samples.

We present an additive-manufactured microwave cavity for a Ramsey-type, double resonance, compact cold-atom clock. Atoms can be laser cooled inside the cavity using a grating magneto-optic trap with the cavity providing an excellent TE011-like mode while maintaining sufficient optical access for atomic detection. The cavity features a low Q-factor of 360 which conveniently reduces the cavity pulling of the future clock. Despite the potential porosity of the additive-manufacturing process, we demonstrate that the cavity is well-suited for vacuum. A preliminary clock setup using cold atoms allows for measuring the Zeeman spectrum and Rabi oscillations in the cavity which enables us to infer excellent field uniformity and homogeneity, respectively, across the volume accessed by the cold atoms. Ramsey spectroscopy is demonstrated, indicating that the cavity is suitable for clock applications. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the future clock.

Cold atom fountain clocks provide exceptional long term stability as they increase interrogation time at the expense of a larger size. We present a compact cold atom fountain using a grating magneto-optical trap to laser cool and launch the atoms in a simplified optical setup. The fountain is evaluated using coherent population trapping and demonstrates improved single-shot stability from the launch. Ramsey times up to 100 ms were measured with a corresponding fringe linewidth of 5 Hz. This technique could improve both short- and long-term stabilities of cold atom clocks while remaining compact for portable applications.