Abstract: A rubidium optical atomic clock uses a modulated 778 nanometer (nm) probe beam and its reflection to excite rubidium 87 atoms, some of which emit 758.8 nm fluorescence as they decay back to the ground state. A spectral filter rejects scatter of the 778 nm probe beams while transmitting the 775.8 nm fluorescence so that the latter can be detected with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Since the spectral filter is only acceptably effective at angles of incidence less than 8° from the perpendicular, the atoms are localized by a magneto-optical trap so that most of the atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° angle so that the resulting fluorescence detection signal has a high signal-to-noise ratio. The fluorescence detection signal can be demodulated to provide an error signal from which desired adjustments to the oscillator frequency can be calculated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical cable connector ferrule for connecting a reinforced optical cable connector to an optical adapter, the ferrule comprising a cavity for housing an optical cable connector plug connected to an optical cable; and a fastening portion comprising slots for fastening and aligning with the optical adapter. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an optical adapter comprising a first connection end for receiving a first optical cable; a second connection end for receiving a second optical cable; a stop surface within the first connection end for positioning an optical cable ferrule that houses an optical cable connector plug; an adaptation element disposed on the stop surface for connecting the first and second optical fibers; fastening features disposed on the stop surface for retaining a reinforced optical cable connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reinforced optical cable connector comprising an inner body for housing an optical cable, the inner body comprising a plug holder for securing a connection plug at a first end; a crimping base comprising a retaining sleeve for retaining the optical cable; and an outer housing for housing the inner body, the crimping base; wherein the crimping base comprises a fastener for engagement with the inner body; and the inner body comprises a mating surface at a second end opposite the first end for attaching the crimping base fastener.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection process begins by localizing rubidium 87 atoms within an optical (all-optical or magneto-optical) trap so that at least most of the atoms in the trap are within a cone defined by an effective angle, e.g., 8°, of a spectral filter. Within the effective angle of incidence, the filter effectively rejects (reflects or absorbs) 778 nanometer (nm) fluorescence and effectively transmits 775.8 nm fluorescence. Any 775.8 nm fluorescence arrive outside the effective angle of incidence. Thus, using an optical trap to localize the atoms within the cone enhances the signal-to-noise ratio of the fluorescence transmitted through the spectral filter and arriving a photomultiplier or other photodetector, resulting fluorescence detection signal with an enhanced S/N.

Abstract: A rubidium optical atomic clock uses a modulated 778 nanometer (nm) probe beam and its reflection to excite rubidium 87 atoms, some of which emit 758.8 nm fluorescence as they decay back to the ground state. A spectral filter rejects scatter of the 778 nm probe beams while transmitting the 775.8 nm fluorescence so that the latter can be detected with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Since the spectral filter is only acceptably effective at angles of incidence less than 8° from the perpendicular, the atoms are localized by a magneto-optical trap so that most of the atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° angle so that the resulting fluorescence detection signal has a high signal-to-noise ratio. The fluorescence detection signal can be demodulated to provide an error signal from which desired adjustments to the oscillator frequency can be calculated.

Abstract: A frequency-modulated spectrometry (FMS) output is used to stabilize an atomic clock by serving as an error signal to regulate the clock's oscillator frequency. Rubidium 87 atoms are localized within a hermetically sealed cell using an optical (e.g., magneto-optical) trap. The oscillator output is modulated by a sinusoidal radio frequency signal and the modulated signal is then frequency doubled to provide a modulated 788 nm probe signal. The probe signal excites the atoms, so they emit 775.8 nm fluorescence. A spectral filter is used to block 788 nm scatter from reaching a photodetector, but also blocks 775.8 nm fluorescence with an angle of incidence larger than 8° relative to a perpendicular to the spectral filter. The localized atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° effective angle of incidence so an FMS output with a high signal-to-noise ratio is obtained.

Abstract: A frequency-modulated spectrometry (FMS) output is used to stabilize an atomic clock by serving as an error signal to regulate the clock's oscillator frequency. Rubidium 87 atoms are localized within a hermetically sealed cell using an optical (e.g., magneto-optical) trap. The oscillator output is modulated by a sinusoidal radio frequency signal and the modulated signal is then frequency doubled to provide a modulated 788 nm probe signal. The probe signal excites the atoms, so they emit 775.8 nm fluorescence. A spectral filter is used to block 788 nm scatter from reaching a photodetector, but also blocks 775.8 nm fluorescence with an angle of incidence larger than 8° relative to a perpendicular to the spectral filter. The localized atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° effective angle of incidence so an FMS output with a high signal-to-noise ratio is obtained.

Abstract: A frequency-modulated spectrometry (FMS) output is used to stabilize an atomic clock by serving as an error signal to regulate the clock's oscillator frequency. Rubidium 87 atoms are localized within a hermetically sealed cell using an optical (e.g., magneto-optical) trap. The oscillator output is modulated by a sinusoidal radio frequency signal and the modulated signal is then frequency doubled to provide a modulated 788 nm probe signal. The probe signal excites the atoms, so they emit 775.8 nm fluorescence. A spectral filter is used to block 788 nm scatter from reaching a photodetector, but also blocks 775.8 nm fluorescence with an angle of incidence larger than 8° relative to a perpendicular to the spectral filter. The localized atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° effective angle of incidence so an FMS output with a high signal-to-noise ratio is obtained.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection process begins by localizing rubidium 87 atoms within an optical (all-optical or magneto-optical) trap so that at least most of the atoms in the trap are within a cone defined by an effective angle, e.g., 8°, of a spectral filter. Within the effective angle of incidence, the filter effectively rejects (reflects or absorbs) 778 nanometer (nm) fluorescence and effectively transmits 775.8 nm fluorescence. Any 775.8 nm fluorescence arrive outside the effective angle of incidence. Thus, using an optical trap to localize the atoms within the cone enhances the signal-to-noise ratio of the fluorescence transmitted through the spectral filter and arriving a photomultiplier or other photodetector, resulting fluorescence detection signal with an enhanced S/N.

Abstract: A rubidium optical atomic clock uses a modulated 778 nanometer (nm) probe beam and its reflection to excite rubidium 87 atoms, some of which emit 758.8 nm fluorescence as they decay back to the ground state. A spectral filter rejects scatter of the 778 nm probe beams while transmitting the 775.8 nm fluorescence so that the latter can be detected with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Since the spectral filter is only acceptably effective at angles of incidence less than 8° from the perpendicular, the atoms are localized by a magneto-optical trap so that most of the atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° angle so that the resulting fluorescence detection signal has a high signal-to-noise ratio. The fluorescence detection signal can be demodulated to provide an error signal from which desired adjustments to the oscillator frequency can be calculated.

Abstract: An atomic clock employs hybrid long/short quantum clock frequency regulation wherein each of a series of regulation cycles includes a relatively long (four Ramsey-cycle) combination error signal (CES) cycle and plural relatively short (two Ramsey-cycle) single error signal (SES) cycles. The CES cycles provide for better long-term stability than can be provided using only SES cycles. However, including the SES cycles between CES cycles improves short term stability with negligible diminishment of long-term stability.