A high-performance cell-based microwave clock using push-pull optical pumping

International audienceWe report the study and development of a highperformance coherent-population trapping (CPT)-based Cs vapor cell atomic clock using the push-pull optical pumping (PPOP) technique. An original dual-frequency sub-Doppler spectroscopy technique, allowing the detection of high-contrast sub-Doppler absorption spikes, has allowed to improve the laser frequency stabilization by about one order of magnitude. Theclock was operated and characterized in detail in both the continuous and pulsed (Ramsey-CPT) regimes, demonstrating in each case a short-term fractional frequency stability at the level of about 2 10-13 τ-1/2 up to 100 s integration time. The clock performances are currently limited by laser power effects. This CPT clock, with high potential for modest size and power consumption, ranking among the best microwave vapor cell atomic frequency standards, could find applications in telecommunication, instrumentation, defense or next-generation satellite-based navigation systems