Development of stable RF/Microwave oscillators and atomic clocks for precision timing

研究背景的简要描述，包括潜在的影响：定时，抖动和相位噪声在现代导航，通信和先进的电子系统中至关重要，因此必须开发紧凑的高稳定性时钟。芯片级原子钟已经有了广泛的发展，但通常存在显著的尺寸/性能权衡。该研究小组专注于在半个鞋盒大小的体积内实现最佳性能。研究方法的目的和目标以及新奇：该研究项目的目的是开发新一代紧凑型低相位噪声振荡器和物理封装，以提供完全集成的原子钟，提供最佳的低相位噪声性能，同时提供最佳的长期稳定性（Allan Deviation）.需要研究和加强的关键要素是：作为飞轮振荡器的频率合成器，包括晶体振荡器、介质谐振器振荡器、直接数字合成器和锁相环。蒸汽电池（Rb和Cs）;磁屏蔽和磁偏置;温度稳定和光电检测。用于激光稳定、温度稳定以及频率和相位锁定电子器件的多个控制回路。这项工作将涉及开发这些时钟的各个方面，并扩展该研究小组在振荡器和相干布居捕获方面的工作。与EPSRC的战略和研究领域保持一致：这项工作直接符合EPSRC的关键主题：“射频和微波器件”和“量子器件和组件”，并将显着提高英国在这一领域的能力。任何公司或合作者参与：CASE赞助是由列奥纳多MW有限公司和EPSRC提供。英国国家物理实验室（NPL）已同意帮助测量。该项目还将促进与英国量子技术（QT）量子传感和计量中心的合作，以支持与列奥纳多和约克大学的英国量子通信QT中心合作开发商用量子传感器。

Brief description of the context of the research including potential impact:Timing, jitter and phase noise are critical in modern navigation, communications and advanced electronic systems and it is therefore essential to develop compact highly stable clocks. There has been extensive development in chip scale atomic clocks but there is usually a significant size/performance trade-off. This group is concentrating on the best performance that can be achieved within a volume around the size of half to 1 shoebox.Aims and objectives and novelty of the research methodology:The aim of this research project is to develop a new generation of compact low phase noise oscillators and physics packages to offer fully integrated atomic clocks offering the very best low phase noise performance and at the same time the best long-term stability (Allan Deviation).The key elements are to be researched and enhanced are:The frequency synthesiser which acts as a flywheel oscillator and includes crystal oscillators, dielectric resonator oscillators, direct digital synthesisers, and phase locked loops.The physics package which contains: lasers with microwave modulation; vapour cells (Rb and Cs); magnetic shielding and magnetic bias; temperature stabilisation and optoelectronic detection. Multiple control loops for laser stabilisation, temperature stabilisation and frequency and phase locking electronics.The work will involve developing all aspects of these clocks and extends this research groups work on oscillators and coherent population trapping.Alignment to EPSRC's strategies and research areas: The work fits directly into key EPSRC themes: 'RF and Microwave Devices' and 'Quantum Devices and Components' and will significantly enhance the UK's capability in this area.Any companies or collaborators involved: The CASE sponsorship is provided by Leonardo MW Ltd and EPSRC. The UK National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have agreed to help with measurements.The project will also stimulate collaboration with the UK Quantum Technologies (QT) Hub for Quantum Sensing and Metrology to support the development of commercial quantum sensors with Leonardo and the UK QT Hub for Quantum Communications at the University of York.