Absolute and relative stability of an optical frequency reference based on spectral hole burning in Eu${}^{3+}$:Y${}_2$SiO${}_5$

Abstract

We present and analyze four frequency measurements designed to characterize the performance of an optical frequency reference based on spectral hole burning in \EuYSO. The first frequency comparison, between a single unperturbed spectral hole and a hydrogen maser, demonstrates a fractional frequency drift rate of $5\times 10^{-18}$ s${}^{-1}$. Optical-frequency comparisons between a pattern of spectral holes, a Fabry-Pérot cavity, and an Al${}^{+}$ optical atomic clock show a short-term fractional frequency stability of $1\times 10^{-15}{\tau }^{-1/2}$ that averages down to $2.5_{-0.5}^{+1.1}\times 10^{-16}$ at $\tau =540s$ (with linear frequency drift removed). Finally, spectral hole patterns in two different \EuYSO crystals located in the same cryogenic vessel are compared, yielding a short-term stability of $7\times 10^{-16}{\tau }^{-1/2}$ that averages down to $5.5_{-0.9}^{+1.8}\times 10^{-17}$ at $\tau =204$~s (with quadratic frequency drift removed).

5 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (3)

• An atomic clock with $10^{-18}$ instability
• New Limits on Coupling of Fundamental Constants to Gravity Using ${}^{87}$Sr Optical Lattice Clocks
• Geophysical applicability of atomic clocks: direct continental geoid mapping

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