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  • Publication
    Accès libre
    First uncertainty evaluation of the FoCS-2 primary frequency standard
    We report the uncertainty evaluation of the Swiss continuous primary frequency standard FoCS-2 (Fontaine Continue Suisse). Unlike other primary frequency standards which are working with clouds of cold atoms, this fountain uses a continuous beam of cold caesium atoms bringing a series of metrological advantages and specific techniques for the evaluation of the uncertainty budget. Recent improvements of FoCS-2 have made possible the evaluation of the frequency shifts and of their uncertainties in the order of 1 × 10−15. When operating in an optimal regime a relative frequency instability of 8 × 10−14 (τ/s) −1/2 is obtained. The relative standard uncertainty reported in this article, 1.99 × 10−15, is strongly dominated by the statistics of the frequency measurements.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Status and prospect of the Swiss continuous Cs fountain FoCS-2
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    Petersen, Michael
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    Morel, Jacques
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    Bernier, Laurent-Guy
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    The continuous cesium fountain clock FoCS-2 at METAS presents many unique characteristics and challenges in comparison with standard pulsed fountain clocks. For several years FoCS-2 was limited by an unexplained frequency sensitivity on the velocity of the atoms, in the range of 140 · 10-15. Recent experiments allowed us to identify the origin of this problem as undesirable microwave surface currents circulating on the shield of the coaxial cables that feed the microwave cavity. A strong reduction of this effect was obtained by adding microwave absorbing coatings on the coaxial cables and absorbers inside of the vacuum chamber. This breakthrough opens the door to a true metrological validation of the fountain. A series of simulation tools have already been developed and proved their efficiency in the evaluation of some of the uncertainties of the continuous fountain. With these recent improvements, we are confident in the future demonstration of an uncertainty budget at the 10-15 level and below.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Measurement of the magnetic field profile in the atomic fountain clock FoCS-2 using Zeeman spectroscopy
    We report the evaluation of the second-order Zeeman shift in the continuous atomic fountain clock FoCS-2. Because of its continuous operation and geometrical constraints, the methods used in pulsed fountains are not applicable. We use here time-resolved Zeeman spectroscopy to probe the magnetic field profile in the clock. Pulses of ac magnetic excitation allow us to spatially resolve the Zeeman frequency and to evaluate the Zeeman shift with a relative uncertainty smaller than 5 × 10−16.