A dynamic analysis of the LO noise transfer mechanism in a Rb-cell frequency standard

Frequency noise of the local oscillator at even harmonics of the modulation frequency is known to contribute to the short-term instability of passive frequency standards. The mechanism by which this noise transfer takes place in Rb-cell standards is described here in a comprehensive approach that includes both signal theory methods and a time-dependent quantum mechanical analysis. The resulting calculated transfer coefficients for the various even harmonics are discussed in relationship with measured coefficients in an actual experiment.