High-Performance Pulsed Laser-Pumped Rb Clock for GNSS

Abstract

In this communication, we give an overview of the field of space atomic clocks and motivate the need for novel types of space atomic clocks, notably based on laser technology. We outline the development status of our pulsed laser-pumped Rb clock in view of combined state-of-the-art stability (~10−14 @ 1 day) and small volume (< 5L). The frequency and intensity stability of a custom made compact pulsed laser source is discussed in view of its implementation in the pulsed laser-pumped clock. Finally, we analyze spectral aging data for a DFB laser diode accumulated over several years and discuss new lines of atomic clock development.