Open Access3D printed microwave cavity for atomic clock applications: proof of concept
Author(s) -
Pellaton M.,
Affolderbach C.,
Skrivervik A.K.,
Ivanov A.E.,
Debogovic T.,
Rijk E.,
Mileti G.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
electronics letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.375
H-Index - 146
ISSN - 1350-911X
DOI - 10.1049/el.2017.4176
Subject(s) - atomic clock , laser linewidth , resonator , microwave cavity , microwave , optoelectronics , materials science , resonance (particle physics) , rubidium , optics , physics , atomic physics , laser , potassium , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
The authors present the realisation and characterisation of an additively manufactured (AM) microwave resonator cavity for double‐resonance (DR) vapour‐cell atomic clocks. The design of the compact microwave cavity is based on the loop‐gap resonator approach, previously demonstrated for conventionally‐machined aluminium components. In the present study, the resonator is fabricated by AM using a metal‐coated polymer. A resonance frequency at the desired 6.835 GHz rubidium atomic frequency is obtained. When employed in an atomic clock setup, the AM cavity enables a DR signal of <500 Hz linewidth and of nearly 20% contrast, thus fulfilling the stringent requirements for DR atomic clocks. A clock short‐term stability of 1 × 10 −12 τ −1/2 is demonstrated, comparable to state‐of‐the‐art clock performances.