CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S . Provisional Patent Application

No. 63/332095, filed 18 April 2022; and U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 18/297886, filed 10 April 2023, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to atomic systems, and specifically to an atomic optical reference system.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Atomic systems that implement atomic interaction with optical beams are implemented for a variety of applications, such as sensors and atomic clocks. As an example, one or more optical beams can be provided through a vapor cell that includes an alkali metal vapor, such that excitation of the alkali metal vapor atoms can exhibit an optical response based on amplitude, frequency, and/or polarization of the optical beam(s). The optical response of a given atomic system can thus be indicative of a parameter (e.g., time, rotation, magnetic field, electric field, acceleration) to a highly accurate degree. Stability of the power of the optical beam can typically be required to maintain accuracy of the atomic system. The power of the laser that generates the optical beam can be a cause of and subject to different forms of instability, such as caused by environmental fluctuations and aging of the laser, the power supplies, and/or the monitoring systems.

SUMMARY

[0004] One example includes an atomic optical reference system. The system includes an optical system comprising a laser configured to generate an optical beam. The system also includes a vapor cell comprising alkali metal atoms that are stimulated in response to a modulated beam corresponding to an amplitude-modulated version of the optical beam. The system also includes a detection system configured to monitor at least one detection signal corresponding to light emitted from or absorbed by the vapor cell and to generate at least one feedback signal in response to the at least one detection signal. The system further includes a beam modulator configured to amplitude-modulate the optical beam to generate the modulated beam and to frequency shift the optical beam to generate an output beam having a stable frequency in response to the at least one feedback signal.

[0005] Another example includes a method for generating an output beam having a stable frequency reference. The method includes generating an optical beam and amplitude-modulating the optical beam to generate a modulated beam. The method also includes providing the modulated beam through a vapor cell, the vapor cell comprising alkali metal atoms that are stimulated in response to the modulated beam and monitoring at least one detection signal corresponding to light emitted from or absorbed by the vapor cell. The method further includes generating at least one feedback signal in response to the at least one detection signal, and frequency shifting the optical beam to generate the output beam in response to the at least one feedback signal.

[0006] Another example includes an atomic clock system. The atomic clock system includes an optical system comprising a laser configured to generate an optical beam and a vapor cell comprising alkali metal atoms that are stimulated in response to a modulated beam corresponding to an amplitude-modulated version of the optical beam. The system also includes a detection system configured to monitor at least one detection signal corresponding to light emitted from or absorbed by the vapor cell and to generate at least one feedback signal in response to the at least one detection signal. The system also includes an amplitude modulator configured to amplitude-modulate the optical beam between a first amplitude and a second amplitude to generate the modulated beam. The system further includes a frequency shifter that is configured to shift a frequency of the optical beam approximately equal and opposite a frequency shift between the first amplitude and the second amplitude of the modulated beam in response to at least one feedback signal to generate an output beam having a stable frequency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an atomic optical reference system.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a detection system.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a beam modulator.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a graph of light-shift as a function of optical power.

[00111 FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method for generating an output beam having a stable frequency reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present invention relates generally to atomic systems, and specifically to an atomic optical reference system. The atomic optical reference system is configured to generate an output optical beam that has a highly stable frequency that is insensitive to aging and/or other sources of instability. As an example, the output optical beam can be implemented as a frequency reference, such as for an atomic clock.

[0013] The atomic optical reference system includes an optical system and a vapor cell. The optical system includes a laser configured to generate an optical beam and the vapor cell includes alkali metal atoms (e.g., cesium). The atoms of the alkali metal vapor can be stimulated (e.g., excited) in response to a modulated beam corresponding to an amplitude-modulated version of the optical beam. As described herein, the terms “amplitude” and “power” with respect to the optical beam are used interchangeably. The optical system can also include optics that can polarize (e.g., circularly-polarize or linearly-polarize) the optical beam and can provide the modulated beam through the vapor cell twice (e.g., in antiparallel directions) to provide a two-photon excitation of the alkali metal vapor atoms based on the frequency of the modulated beam. Therefore, the alkali metal vapor can exhibit fluorescence based on the energy of the alkali metal vapor atoms decaying from an excited state (e.g., from a second energy state to a first energy state). [0014] The atomic optical reference system also includes a detection system configured to monitor at least one detection signal corresponding to light emitted from or absorbed by the vapor cell. The detection signal(s) can include a frequency reference signal corresponding to fluorescence emitted from the alkali metal atoms and can include an amplitude detection beam corresponding to the modulated beam exiting the vapor cell. The detection system can be configured to generate at least one feedback signal in response to the detection signal(s), such as a frequency shift feedback signal based on the frequency reference signal and an amplitude feedback signal based on the amplitude detection beam. The atomic optical reference system further includes a beam modulator configured to amplitude-modulate the optical beam to generate the modulated beam and to frequency shift the optical beam to generate the output beam having a stable frequency in response to the feedback signal(s).

[0015] As an example, the beam modulator can modulate the optical beam between a first amplitude and a second amplitude of optical power to generate the modulated beam. As an example, the second amplitude of the optical power can be twice the first amplitude of the optical power. The detection system can include a frequency detector that is configured to monitor the frequency reference signal at each of different times of the first amplitude and the second amplitude of the modulated beam. The detection system can thus generate the frequency shift feedback signal corresponding to the frequency shift of the modulated beam at each of the first and second amplitudes of the modulated beam.

[0016] The frequency shift feedback signal can be provided to a frequency shifter that is configured to shift the frequency of the optical beam approximately equal and opposite a frequency shift between the first and second amplitudes of the modulated beam to generate the output beam. As an example, laser power of any amplitude provides light-shift (e.g., AC Stark Shift), and the power of the laser in providing the optical beam can be subject to instability. However, the frequency shift between the first and second amplitudes of the modulated beam can correspond to the frequency shift from the first amplitude of the modulated beam to a zero light-shift based on the locking of the frequency of the optical beam to the frequency corresponding to the maximum probability of stimulation of the alkali metal atoms at the first amplitude of the modulated beam. Accordingly, aging effects and other sources of instability that result in optical frequency shift can be negated from the output beam by continuously measuring and removing the light-induced frequency shift of the optical beam.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an atomic optical reference system 100. The atomic optical reference system 100 can be implemented in any of a variety of applications that require a stable frequency of an optical beam. For example, the atomic optical reference system 100 can be implemented in an atomic clock system.

[0018] The atomic optical reference system 100 includes an optical system 102. The optical system 102 includes a laser 104 configured to generate an optical beam OPT _BM and optics 106. The atomic optical reference system 100 also includes a beam modulator 108. In the example of FIG. 1, the beam modulator 108 is configured to amplitude-modulate the optical beam OPT _BM to generate a modulated beam OPT _MOD . AS an example, the amplitude-modulation of the optical beam OPT _BM can be between a first amplitude and a second amplitude that is greater than the first amplitude by predetermined amplitude difference. For example, the second amplitude can be approximately twice the first amplitude. As described in greater detail herein, the increase in amplitude of the modulated beam OPT _MOD from the first amplitude to the second amplitude results in a frequency shift of the modulated beam OPT _MOD .

[0019] The atomic optical reference system 100 also includes a vapor cell 110 that includes an alkali metal vapor (e.g., cesium). The modulated beam OPT _MOD can interact with alkali metal vapor in the vapor cell 110, such as to excite the alkali metal atoms from a first energy state (e.g., ground state) to a second energy state that is greater than the first energy state. As an example, the optics 106 can polarize (e.g., circulariy-polarize or linearly-polarize) the optical beam OPT _BM and can provide the modulated beam OPT _MOD through the vapor cell twice (e.g., in antiparallel directions) to provide a two-photon excitation of the alkali metal atoms in the vapor cell 110 based on the frequency of the modulated beam OPT _MOD . Therefore, the alkali metal vapor can exhibit fluorescence based on the alkali metal atoms emitting photons to fall back to the initial energy state (e.g., from the second energy state to the first energy state). [0020] The atomic optical reference system 100 further includes a detection system 112. The detection system 112 is configured to monitor at least one detection signal, demonstrated in the example of FIG. 1 as a signal OPT _DET , that is provided from the vapor cell 110. The detection beam(s) OPT _DET can include a power detection beam corresponding to the modulated beam OPT _MOD exiting the vapor cell 110, and can include a frequency reference signal corresponding to the fluorescence emitted from the alkali metal atoms. In the example of FIG. 1, the detection system 112 is configured to generate at least one feedback signal FDBK based on the detection bea (s) OPT _DET . AS an example, the feedback signal(s) FDBK can include an amplitude feedback signal and a frequency shift feedback signal. As described in greater detail herein, the amplitude feedback signal can be implemented to lock the amplitude of the modulated beam OPT _MOD at each of the first and second amplitudes. As also described in greater detail herein, the frequency shift feedback signal can be implemented to lock the frequency of the optical beam OPT _BM . For example, the frequency of the optical beam OPT _BM can be locked to the frequency that maximizes the probability of stimulation of the alkali metal atoms from the first energy state to the second energy state, thereby resulting in the greatest intensity of fluorescence from the energy of the alkali metal atoms decaying back to the first energy state, at the first amplitude of the modulated beam OPT _MOD .

[0021] Furthermore, the frequency shift feedback signal of the feedback signal(s) FDBK can be provided to the beam modulator 108. The beam modulator 108 can thus shift the frequency of the optical beam OPT _BM equal and opposite a frequency shift between the first and second amplitudes of the modulated beam OPT _MOD to generate an output beam OPT _OUT . Therefore, the frequency shift between the first and second amplitudes of the modulated beam can correspond to the frequency shift from the first amplitude of the modulated beam to a zero light-shift, which corresponds to approximately the frequency shift of the optical beam OPT _BM . Accordingly, aging effects and other sources of instability that result in optical frequency shift can be negated from the output beam by continuously measuring and removing the light-induced frequency shift of the optical beam OPT _BM . [0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a detection system 200. The detection system 200 can correspond to the detection system 112 in the example of FIG. 1. Therefore, reference is to be made to the example of FIG. 1 in the following description of the example of FIG. 2.

[0023] The detection system 200 includes a photodetector 202 and an amplitude controller 204. The detection system 200 receives the detection signal OPT _DET , which is demonstrated in the example of FIG. 2 as including a power detection beam OPT _PWR and a frequency reference signal OPT _REF . The power detection beam OPT _PWR can correspond to the modulated beam OPT _MOD exiting the vapor cell 110 and is provided to the photodetector 202. Therefore, the photodetector 202 is configured to generate a voltage V _PWR that is indicative of the amplitude of the power detection beam OPT _PWR , and thus the modulated beam OPT _MOD (e.g., after absorption of photons by the alkali metal atoms in the vapor cell 110). The amplitude controller 204 receives the voltage V _PWR , as well as a predetermined reference voltage V _REF . The amplitude controller 204 is thus configured to generate a control signal CNTL that is indicative of a difference between the voltage V _PWR and the reference voltage V _REF .

[0024] As described in greater detail herein, the control signal CNTL can be implemented to amplitude-modulate the optical beam OPT _BM to generate the modulated beam. For example, the reference voltage V _REF can be modulated between a first voltage amplitude corresponding to the first amplitude and a second voltage amplitude corresponding to the second amplitude. Therefore, the control signal CNTL can be indicative of the difference in amplitude of the voltage V _PWR relative to the first voltage amplitude of the reference voltage V _REF and the second voltage amplitude of the reference voltage V _REF . Accordingly, the control signal CNTL can correspond to a portion of the feedback signal(s) FDBK that is provided to the beam modulator 108.

[0025] The detection system 200 also includes a frequency controller 206. The frequency controller 206 receives the frequency reference signal OPT _REF as an input. As an example, the frequency controller 206 can include a photodetector (e.g.. a photodiode), and as described above, the frequency reference signal OPT _REF can correspond to the fluorescence emitted from the alkali metal atoms as the energy of the alkali metal atoms decays from the second energy state to the first (e.g., ground) energy state, or light absorbed from the optical beam OPT _BM by the alkali metal atoms. Therefore, the intensity of the frequency reference signal OPT _REF can be indicative of a probability of stimulation of the alkali metal atoms from the first energy state to the second energy state, which is a function of the frequency of the modulated beam OPT _MOD . Therefore, in response to delecting the intensity of the frequency reference signal OPT _REF , the frequency controller 206 generates a frequency shift feedback signal FREQ that corresponds to the frequency offset of the modulated beam OPT _MOD relative to an optimum peak corresponding to the highest intensity of the frequency reference signal OPT _REF . The frequency shift feedback signal FREQ can be provided to the laser 104 to lock a frequency of the optical beam OPT _BM that corresponds to the highest probability of stimulation of the alkali metal atoms from the first energy state to the second energy slate. Additionally, as described in greater detail herein, the frequency shift feedback signal FREQ can be provided to the beam modulator 108 to provide a frequency shift of the optical beam OPT _BM to offset the light-shift (e.g., AC Stark shift) resulting from the power of the optical beam OPT _BM . Accordingly, the frequency shift feedback signal FREQ can correspond to a portion of the feedback signal(s) FDBK that is provided to the beam modulator 108.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a beam modulator 300. The beam modulator 300 can correspond to the beam modulator 108 in the example of FIG. 1. Therefore, reference is to be made to the example of FIG. 1 in the following description of the example of FIG. 3.

[0027] The beam modulator 300 includes an amplitude modulator 302 and a frequency shifter 304. Each of the amplitude modulator 302 and the frequency shifter 304 receive the optical beam OPT _BM as an input. The amplitude modulator 302 also receives the control signal CNTL as an input. The amplitude modulator 302 is therefore configured to amplitude-modulate the optical beam OPT _BM to generate the modulated beam OPT _MOD . AS an example, the modulated beam OPT _MOD can be modulated between a first amplitude that is based on the first voltage amplitude of the reference voltage V _REF and a second amplitude that is based on the second voltage amplitude of the reference voltage V _REF . AS another example, the second voltage amplitude of the reference voltage V _REF can be approximately twice the amplitude of the first voltage amplitude of the reference voltage V _REF - Therefore, the second amplitude (e.g., power) of the modulated beam OPT _MOD can be approximately twice the amplitude (e.g., power) of the first amplitude of the modulated beam OPT _MOD .

[0028] As described above, the power of the optical beam OPT _BM , and thus the modulated beam OPT _MOD , affects the light-shift with respect to absorption of the photons of the modulated beam OPT _MOD by the alkali atoms in the vapor cell 110. Therefore, the change in amplitude of the modulated beam OPT _MOD can thus result in an observable change in the lightshift of the absorption of photons of the alkali metal atoms between the first amplitude and the second amplitude, as described in greater detail with respect to the example of FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of graph 400 of light-shift as a function of optical power. The graph 400 can correspond to the effect of light-shift of the absorption of photons by the alkali metal atoms in the vapor cell 110 resulting from variations in power of the modulated beam OPT _MOD . Therefore, reference is to be made to the examples of FIGS. 1-3 in the following description of the example of FIG. 4.

[0030] The graph 400 includes a line 402 that extends from a zero light-shift point 404 with a negative slope along increasing amplitude of the modulated beam OPT _MOD . The zero light-shift point 404 corresponds to a point at which optical power is approximately zero, and thus demonstrates that any optical power results in some light-shift, with increasing light-shift at a negative slope (e.g., based on a negative polarity) as optical power further increases. In the example of FIG. 4, the line 402 is demonstrated as approximately linear.

[0031] The graph 400 also demonstrates a first power “A” and a second power “2A”. For example, the amplitude modulator 306 can be configured to modulate the optical beam between the first power “A” at a first time and the second power “2A” at a second time. As described above, because any power of the modulated beam OPT _MOD results in light-shift, the first power “A” is demonstrated as having a frequency shift of δf from the zero light-shift point 404. In the example of FIG. 4, the second power “2A” is demonstrated as having approximately double the power of the first power “A”. Therefore, based on the linearity of the line 402, the second power “2A” has a frequency shift of δ _f from the first power “A”, and thus a frequency shift of approximately 2δf from the zero light-shift point 404.

[0032] The frequency shift 5r can be observable based on the intensity of the frequency reference signal OPT _REF - For example, based on a known frequency of the excitation of the alkali metal atoms from a first energy state to a second energy state and based on a known spectral density of the intensity of the frequency reference signal OPT _REF for on-resonance and detuned frequencies, an offset frequency of the modulated beam OPT _MOD can be determined by the frequency controller 206. Therefore, the frequency offset δ _f can be communicated to the frequency shifter 304 via the frequency shift feedback signal FREQ.

[0033] Referring back to the example of FIG. 3, the frequency shifter 304 is configured to receive the frequency shift feedback signal FREQ corresponding to one of the feedback signal(s) FDBK. The frequency shifter 304 can thus provide a frequency shift approximately equal and opposite the frequency offset δ _f to the optical beam OPT _BM to generate the output beam OPT _OUT . Therefore, the output beam OPT _OUT can be provided at a frequency that exhibits approximately zero light-shift, despite sources of instability.

[0034] For example, because the difference in light- shift between the first power “A” and the second power “2A” is measured to be approximately equal to the frequency offset δ _f , then because of the linearity of the light-shift with respect to optical power (e.g., as exhibited by the line 402), the difference between the first power “A” and the zero light-shift point 404 is approximately also equal to the frequency offset δ _f . Accordingly, when the laser 104 is locked to the frequency corresponding to the first power “A” of the modulated beam OPT _MOD , by providing a frequency shift to the optical beam OPT _BM that is approximately equal to and opposite the frequency offset δ _f via the frequency shifter 304, the output beam OPT _OUT can be provided at approximately zero light-shift. In other words, light-shift is sampled based on the observable difference between the first and second amplitudes of the modulated beam OPT _MOD , with such observable light-shift being approximately equal to the light-shift of the optical beam OPT _BM when the optical beam OPT _BM is locked to the frequency of highest probability of absorption of photons at the first amplitude “A”. Accordingly, the measured light-shift can be removed from the optical beam OPT _BM to generate the output beam OPT _OUT with zero light-shift regardless of sources of instability. As a result, the output beam OPT _OUT can be provided at a very stable frequency, and can thus be used as a highly stable frequency reference.

[0035] As an example, sources of light-shift instability can result in changes to the slope of the line 402 and/or variation in the applied optical power via the amplitude modulator 302.

However, because the frequency offset δ _f between the first and second powers can be observable and is approximately equal with respect to the frequency offset between the zero light-shift point 404 and the first power, then such sources of instability are irrelevant to canceling the light-shift of the optical beam OPT _BM in generating the output beam OPT _OUT . Furthermore, the example of FIGS. 1-4 herein describe that the amplitude modulation of the optical beam OPT _BM in generating the modulating beam OPT _MOD is between two powers, with the second power being approximately twice the first power. However, other arrangements can be implemented in the atomic optical reference system 100.

[0036] For example, the amplitude-modulation can be between three or more amplitudes that are not limited to being even multiples with respect to each other. As an example, the amplitude modulator 306 can be configured to modulate the optical beam between the first power “A” at a first time, the second power “2A” at a second time, and a third power at a third time. The third power can be either between the first and second powers “A” and “2A” or at a power outside of the range of the first and second powers “A” and “2A”. Therefore, nonlinearity of the line 402, and thus the light-shift with respect to optical power, can be detected and better modeled to provide for a more accurate observation of power-induced light-shift, and thus a more stable frequency of the output beam OPT _OUT .

[0037] In view of the foregoing structural and functional features described above, a methodology in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure will be better appreciated with reference to FIG. 5. It is to be understood and appreciated that the method for FIG. 5 is not limited by the illustrated order, as some aspects could, in accordance with the present disclosure, occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other aspects from that shown and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated features may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with an aspect of the present examples.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method 500 for generating an output beam (e.g., the output beam OPT _OUT ) having a stable frequency reference. At 502, an optical beam (e.g., the optical beam OPT _BM ) is generated. At 504, the optical beam is amplitude-modulated to generate a modulated beam (e.g., the modulated beam OPT _MOD ). At 506, the modulated beam is provided through a vapor cell (e.g., the vapor cell 110). The vapor cell can include alkali metal atoms that are stimulated in response to the modulated beam. At 508, at least one detection signal (e.g., the detection signal(s) OPTDEI) corresponding to light emitted from or absorbed by the vapor cell is monitored. At 510, at least one feedback signal (e.g., the feedback signal(s) FDBK) is generated in response to the at least one detection signal. At 512, the optical beam is frequency shifted to generate the output beam in response to the at least one feedback signal.

[0039] What have been described above are examples of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Additionally, where the disclosure or claims recite "a," "an," "a first," or "another" element, or the equivalent thereof, it should be interpreted to include one or more than one such element, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. As used herein, the term "includes" means includes but not limited to, and the term "including" means including but not limited to. The term "based on" means based at least in part on.