Narrow linewidth detection laser generation device and method for atomic beam light clock

Abstract

The invention provides a narrow linewidth detection laser generating device and method for an atomic beam light clock. Comprising a narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference, an ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser, a first beat frequency device, a first servo device, an optical splitter, a transfer detection fundamental frequency laser, a second beat frequency device, a second servo device, a transfer detection laser frequency doubling module, a clock frequency detection fundamental frequency laser and a third beat frequency device. And the third servo device is connected with the clock frequency detection laser frequency doubling module. The invention provides a narrow linewidth detection laser generating device and method for an atomic beam light clock, and aims to solve the problem that a calcium atomic beam light clock is poor in transportability due to the fact that an existing detection laser generating system is large in size, weight and power consumption and sensitive to impact damage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of quantum precision measurement technology, and in particular to a narrow line width detection laser generating device and method for an atomic beam optical clock. Background Art

[0002] Calcium atomic beam optical clock generally includes a thermal atomic beam system, a transfer detection laser generation system and a clock frequency detection laser generation system. The 1S0-3P1 energy state spectrum line transition of the calcium atomic beam requires that the line width of the clock frequency detection laser be less than 20Hz, such as Figure 1 As mentioned above, the current detection laser generation system generally adopts two sets of ultra-stable Fabry-Perot (FP) cavities to respectively realize the line width narrowing and frequency stability improvement of the transfer detection laser and the clock frequency detection laser. The ultra-stable FP cavity needs to rely on a complex vacuum system, temperature control system and active seismic isolation system to ensure the stability of the reference cavity length. It has a large size, weight and power consumption, and is extremely sensitive to impact damage during transportation, resulting in poor portability of the calcium atomic beam optical clock. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention provides a narrow linewidth detection laser generating device and method for an atomic beam optical clock, so as to solve the problem that the existing detection laser generating system has poor portability due to large volume, weight and power consumption and sensitivity to impact damage.

[0004] On the one hand, the present invention provides a narrow linewidth detection laser generating device for an atomic beam optical clock, comprising a narrow linewidth laser based on a microcavity reference, an ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser, a first beat frequency device, a first servo device, a spectrometer, a transfer detection fundamental frequency laser, a second beat frequency device, a second servo device, a transfer detection laser double frequency module, a clock frequency detection fundamental frequency laser, a third beat frequency device, a third servo device and a clock frequency detection laser double frequency module, wherein:

[0005] The narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference is used to output narrow linewidth laser;

[0006] The ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser is used to output a first optical frequency comb and output a second optical frequency comb according to a first control signal, the first control signal is obtained by first inputting the narrow linewidth laser and the first optical frequency comb into the first beat frequency device to generate a first error signal, and then inputting the first error signal into the first servo device, and the spectra of the first optical frequency comb and the second optical frequency comb cover the wavelengths of the narrow linewidth laser, the first transfer detection laser and the first clock detection laser;

[0007] The optical splitter is used to split the second optical frequency comb into a third optical frequency comb and a fourth optical frequency comb;

[0008] The transfer detection baseband laser is used to output the first transfer detection laser and output the second transfer detection laser according to the second control signal, and the second control signal is obtained by first inputting the first transfer detection laser and the third optical frequency comb into the second beat frequency device to generate a second error signal, and then inputting the second error signal into the second servo device;

[0009] The transfer detection laser double frequency module is used to double the frequency of the second transfer detection laser to obtain a third transfer detection laser;

[0010] The clock frequency detection base frequency laser is used to output a first clock frequency detection laser and output a second clock frequency detection laser according to a third control signal, and the third control signal is obtained by first inputting the first clock frequency detection laser and the fourth optical frequency comb into the third beat frequency device to generate a third error signal, and then inputting the third error signal into the third servo device;

[0011] The clock frequency detection laser double frequency module is used to double the frequency of the second clock frequency detection laser to obtain a third clock frequency detection laser.

[0012] Optionally, the narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference includes a laser and a high-Q value microcavity.

[0013] Optionally, the laser is a semiconductor laser or a fiber laser.

[0014] Optionally, the high-Q value microcavity is a magnesium fluoride high-Q value microcavity.

[0015] Optionally, the wavelength of the narrow linewidth laser is 1030 nm.

[0016] Optionally, the wavelength of the first transfer detection laser is 846 nm or 862 nm.

[0017] Optionally, the wavelength of the first clock frequency detection laser is 1314 nm.

[0018] Optionally, the first beat frequency device, the second beat frequency device and the third beat frequency device all include a beam combiner, a half-wave plate, a focusing mirror and a photodetector.

[0019] Optionally, the first servo device, the second servo device and the third servo device all include a microwave reference, a mixer and a servo unit.

[0020] On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for generating narrow linewidth detection laser for atomic beam optical clock, which is applied to any of the above-mentioned devices, comprising:

[0021] The narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference outputs narrow linewidth laser;

[0022] The ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser outputs a first optical frequency comb and outputs a second optical frequency comb according to a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is obtained by first inputting the narrow linewidth laser and the first optical frequency comb into the first beat frequency device to generate a first error signal, and then inputting the first error signal into the first servo device, and the spectra of the first optical frequency comb and the second optical frequency comb cover the wavelengths of the narrow linewidth laser, the first transfer detection laser and the first clock detection laser;

[0023] An optical splitter divides the second optical frequency comb into a third optical frequency comb and a fourth optical frequency comb;

[0024] The transfer detection baseband laser outputs the first transfer detection laser and outputs the second transfer detection laser according to the second control signal, and the second control signal is obtained by first inputting the first transfer detection laser and the third optical frequency comb into the second beat frequency device to generate a second error signal, and then inputting the second error signal into the second servo device;

[0025] The transfer detection laser double frequency module doubles the frequency of the second transfer detection laser to obtain a third transfer detection laser;

[0026] The clock frequency detection base frequency laser outputs a first clock frequency detection laser and outputs a second clock frequency detection laser according to a third control signal, and the third control signal is obtained by first inputting the first clock frequency detection laser and the fourth optical frequency comb into the third beat frequency device to generate a third error signal, and then inputting the third error signal into the third servo device;

[0027] The clock frequency detection laser double frequency module doubles the frequency of the second clock frequency detection laser to obtain a third clock frequency detection laser.

[0028] The present invention avoids the use of two sets of complex ultra-stable FP cavity systems, and only uses one set of high-Q value microcavity and ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser to achieve line width narrowing and frequency stabilization of the transfer detection laser and the clock detection laser, which greatly reduces the volume, weight and power consumption of the atomic beam optical clock detection laser generation system, and has the characteristics of simple and stable structure and low cost; at the same time, the high-Q value microcavity is not sensitive to impact damage during transportation, which provides a new technical approach for realizing a portable atomic beam optical clock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0030] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of a detection laser generating system provided as the background technology of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a narrow linewidth detection laser generating device for an atomic beam optical clock provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of a method for generating narrow linewidth detection laser for an atomic beam optical clock provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 The structure of a narrow linewidth detection laser generating device for an atomic beam optical clock provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown, including a narrow linewidth laser based on a microcavity reference, an ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser, a first beat frequency device, a first servo device, a spectrometer, a transfer detection fundamental frequency laser, a second beat frequency device, a second servo device, a transfer detection laser double frequency module, a clock frequency detection fundamental frequency laser, a third beat frequency device, a third servo device and a clock frequency detection laser double frequency module.

[0035] The narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference is used to output narrow linewidth laser.

[0036] In one example, a narrow linewidth laser based on a microcavity reference includes a laser and a high-Q value microcavity. The laser output laser is injected into the high-Q value microcavity to stimulate the stimulated Brillouin effect and generate a narrow linewidth laser, wherein the linewidth of the narrow linewidth laser is less than 20 Hz.

[0037] Furthermore, the laser is a semiconductor laser or a fiber laser.

[0038] Furthermore, the high-Q value microcavity is a magnesium fluoride high-Q value microcavity.

[0039] In one example, the wavelength of the narrow linewidth laser is 1030 nm.

[0040] The ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser is used to output a first optical frequency comb and output a second optical frequency comb according to a first control signal. The first control signal is obtained by first inputting a narrow linewidth laser and a first optical frequency comb into a first beat frequency device to generate a first error signal, and then inputting the first error signal into a first servo device. The spectra of the first optical frequency comb and the second optical frequency comb cover the wavelengths of the narrow linewidth laser, the first transfer detection laser and the first clock detection laser.

[0041] Compared with the first optical frequency comb, the first control signal achieves line width narrowing and frequency stability improvement of the second optical frequency comb.

[0042] The optical splitter is used to split the second optical frequency comb into a third optical frequency comb and a fourth optical frequency comb. The third optical frequency comb and the fourth optical frequency comb are exactly the same, and the intensity of each is half of the second optical frequency comb.

[0043] The transfer detection baseband laser is used to output a first transfer detection laser and output a second transfer detection laser according to a second control signal. The second control signal is obtained by first inputting the first transfer detection laser and the third optical frequency comb into a second beat frequency device to generate a second error signal, and then inputting the second error signal into a second servo device.

[0044] Compared with the first transfer detection laser, the second control signal achieves line width narrowing and frequency stability improvement of the second transfer detection laser.

[0045] In one example, the wavelength of the first transfer detection laser is 846 nm or 862 nm.

[0046] The transfer detection laser double frequency module is used for frequency doubling the second transfer detection laser to obtain the third transfer detection laser.

[0047] The third transfer probe laser light has its frequency doubled and its wavelength halved relative to the second transfer probe laser light.

[0048] The clock frequency detection baseband laser is used to output a first clock frequency detection laser and output a second clock frequency detection laser according to a third control signal. The third control signal is obtained by first inputting the first clock frequency detection laser and the fourth optical frequency comb into a third beat frequency device to generate a third error signal, and then inputting the third error signal into a third servo device.

[0049] Compared with the first clock frequency detection laser, the third control signal achieves line width narrowing and frequency stability improvement of the second clock frequency detection laser.

[0050] In one example, the wavelength of the first clocked detection laser is 1314 nm.

[0051] The clock frequency detection laser double frequency module is used for frequency doubling the second clock frequency detection laser to obtain a third clock frequency detection laser.

[0052] The third-clocked detection laser has its frequency doubled and its wavelength halved relative to the second-clocked detection laser.

[0053] In an example, the first beat frequency device, the second beat frequency device and the third beat frequency device all include a beam combiner, a half-wave plate, a focusing mirror and a photodetector.

[0054] In one example, the first servo device, the second servo device, and the third servo device all include a microwave reference, a mixer, and a servo unit.

[0055] The above scheme avoids the use of two sets of complex ultra-stable FP cavity systems, and only uses one set of high-Q value microcavity and ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser to achieve line width narrowing and frequency stabilization of the transfer detection laser and the clock detection laser, which greatly reduces the volume, weight and power consumption of the atomic beam optical clock detection laser generation system, and has the characteristics of simple, stable structure and low cost; at the same time, the high-Q value microcavity is not sensitive to impact damage during transportation, which provides a new technical approach for realizing a portable atomic beam optical clock.

[0056] Based on the same inventive concept, Figure 3 The process of a method for generating narrow linewidth detection laser of an atomic beam optical clock provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is applied to the above-mentioned device and includes:

[0057] The narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference outputs narrow linewidth laser;

[0058] The ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser outputs a first optical frequency comb and outputs a second optical frequency comb according to a first control signal, the first control signal is obtained by first inputting a narrow linewidth laser and the first optical frequency comb into a first beat frequency device to generate a first error signal, and then inputting the first error signal into a first servo device, and the spectra of the first optical frequency comb and the second optical frequency comb cover the wavelengths of the narrow linewidth laser, the first transfer detection laser, and the first clock detection laser;

[0059] The optical splitter divides the second optical frequency comb into a third optical frequency comb and a fourth optical frequency comb;

[0060] The transfer detection baseband laser outputs a first transfer detection laser and outputs a second transfer detection laser according to a second control signal, wherein the second control signal is obtained by first inputting the first transfer detection laser and the third optical frequency comb into a second beat frequency device to generate a second error signal, and then inputting the second error signal into a second servo device;

[0061] The transfer detection laser double frequency module doubles the frequency of the second transfer detection laser to obtain a third transfer detection laser;

[0062] The clock frequency detection base frequency laser outputs a first clock frequency detection laser and outputs a second clock frequency detection laser according to a third control signal, and the third control signal is obtained by first inputting the first clock frequency detection laser and the fourth optical frequency comb into a third beat frequency device to generate a third error signal, and then inputting the third error signal into a third servo device;

[0063] The clock frequency detection laser double frequency module doubles the frequency of the second clock frequency detection laser to obtain a third clock frequency detection laser.

[0064] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art may make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they have learned the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A narrow linewidth detection laser generating device for atomic beam optical clock, characterized in that: The invention comprises a narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference, an ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser, a first beat frequency device, a first servo device, a spectrometer, a transfer detection fundamental frequency laser, a second beat frequency device, a second servo device, a transfer detection laser double frequency module, a clock frequency detection fundamental frequency laser, a third beat frequency device, a third servo device and a clock frequency detection laser double frequency module, wherein: The narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference is used to output narrow linewidth laser; The ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser is used to output a first optical frequency comb and output a second optical frequency comb according to a first control signal, the first control signal is obtained by first inputting the narrow linewidth laser and the first optical frequency comb into the first beat frequency device to generate a first error signal, and then inputting the first error signal into the first servo device, and the spectra of the first optical frequency comb and the second optical frequency comb cover the wavelengths of the narrow linewidth laser, the first transfer detection laser and the first clock detection laser; The optical splitter is used to split the second optical frequency comb into a third optical frequency comb and a fourth optical frequency comb; The transfer detection baseband laser is used to output the first transfer detection laser and output the second transfer detection laser according to the second control signal, and the second control signal is obtained by first inputting the first transfer detection laser and the third optical frequency comb into the second beat frequency device to generate a second error signal, and then inputting the second error signal into the second servo device; The transfer detection laser double frequency module is used to double the frequency of the second transfer detection laser to obtain a third transfer detection laser; The clock frequency detection base frequency laser is used to output a first clock frequency detection laser and output a second clock frequency detection laser according to a third control signal, and the third control signal is obtained by first inputting the first clock frequency detection laser and the fourth optical frequency comb into the third beat frequency device to generate a third error signal, and then inputting the third error signal into the third servo device; The clock frequency detection laser double frequency module is used to double the frequency of the second clock frequency detection laser to obtain a third clock frequency detection laser.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference comprises a laser and a high-Q value microcavity.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The laser is a semiconductor laser or a fiber laser.

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The high-Q value microcavity is a magnesium fluoride high-Q value microcavity.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wavelength of the narrow linewidth laser is 1030 nm.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wavelength of the first transfer detection laser is 846 nm or 862 nm.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wavelength of the first clock frequency detection laser is 1314 nm.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first beat frequency device, the second beat frequency device and the third beat frequency device all include a beam combiner, a half-wave plate, a focusing mirror and a photodetector.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first servo device, the second servo device and the third servo device all include a microwave reference, a mixer and a servo unit.

10. A method for generating narrow linewidth detection laser for atomic beam optical clock, applied to the device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: include: The narrow linewidth laser based on microcavity reference outputs narrow linewidth laser; The ytterbium-doped optical frequency comb laser outputs a first optical frequency comb and outputs a second optical frequency comb according to a first control signal, wherein the first control signal is obtained by first inputting the narrow linewidth laser and the first optical frequency comb into the first beat frequency device to generate a first error signal, and then inputting the first error signal into the first servo device, and the spectra of the first optical frequency comb and the second optical frequency comb cover the wavelengths of the narrow linewidth laser, the first transfer detection laser and the first clock detection laser; An optical splitter divides the second optical frequency comb into a third optical frequency comb and a fourth optical frequency comb; The transfer detection baseband laser outputs the first transfer detection laser and outputs the second transfer detection laser according to the second control signal, and the second control signal is obtained by first inputting the first transfer detection laser and the third optical frequency comb into the second beat frequency device to generate a second error signal, and then inputting the second error signal into the second servo device; The transfer detection laser double frequency module doubles the frequency of the second transfer detection laser to obtain a third transfer detection laser; The clock frequency detection base frequency laser outputs a first clock frequency detection laser and outputs a second clock frequency detection laser according to a third control signal, and the third control signal is obtained by first inputting the first clock frequency detection laser and the fourth optical frequency comb into the third beat frequency device to generate a third error signal, and then inputting the third error signal into the third servo device; The clock frequency detection laser double frequency module doubles the frequency of the second clock frequency detection laser to obtain a third clock frequency detection laser.

Images