https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2005-00302-7
A high-resolution Ramsey-Bordé spectrometer for optical clocks based on cold Mg atoms
Institute for Quantum Optics, University of Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167 Hannover, Germany
Corresponding author: a rasel@iqo.uni-hannover.de
Received:
30
May
2005
Revised:
1
August
2005
Published online:
17
November
2005
We report on recent
progress in our Ramsey-Bordé interferometer with cold magnesium
atoms at 457.2 nm. A resolution as high as 
was achieved, which corresponds to a quality factor of 
. An upper limit of 170 Hz for the laser
oscillator line width is inferred from the interferometric analysis
of the contrast decay induced by the residual atomic motion and
spontaneous emission. The performance of the spectrometer allows to
realize an optical frequency standard at 457.2 nm with a short-term
stability of up to 
with 105 atoms similar to state-of-the art, non-cryogenic microwave
clocks or oscillators.
PACS: 06.30.Ft – time and frequency / 39.20.+q – atom interferometry techniques / 39.25.+k – Atom manipulation (scanning probe microscopy, laser cooling, etc.)
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2005
