Title :
Test of a space cold atom clock prototype in absence of gravity
Author :
Lemonde, P. ; Laurent, P. ; Simon, E. ; Santarelli, G. ; Clairon, A. ; Salomon, C. ; Dimarcq, N. ; Petit, P.
Author_Institution :
Lab. Primaire du Temps et des Frequences, Paris, France
Abstract :
In space, thanks to micro-gravity conditions, a clock using laser cooled atoms is expected to have a better performance than on Earth. We have constructed a prototype of this space clock. It was tested in the absence of gravity of aircraft parabolic flights, yielding an atomic resonance with a width of 7 Hz, twice narrower than on Earth.
Keywords :
atomic clocks; frequency stability; laser cooling; zero gravity experiments; aircraft parabolic flights; atomic fountain; atomic resonance; frequency chain; gravity absence; laser cooled atoms; microgravity conditions; optical molasses; reduced gravity; space cold atom clock prototype; Aircraft manufacture; Atom lasers; Atomic beams; Clocks; Earth; Gravity; Prototypes; Resonance; Space cooling; Testing;
Conference_Titel :
Precision Electromagnetic Measurements Digest, 1998 Conference on
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5018-9
DOI :
10.1109/CPEM.1998.699815
