Citation
Abstract
We report on tests of a frequency-stable temperature-compensated sapphire oscillator (CSO) at temperatures above 77 K [1]. Previously, high stability in sapphire oscillators had been obtained only with liquid helium cooling. The current resonator quality factor (Q) of Q ~ 2 x 10^6 together with recent improvements in frequency lock circuitry yield a frequency stability approximately the same as the very best quartz oscillators available. The apparent CSO flicker noise floor is 7.5 x 10^-14 for measuring times between 3 and 10 s, with stability better than 2 x 10^-13 for all measuring times between 1 and 100 s. We project a stability of 2 x 10^-14 for a resonator Q of 10^7, a value about one-third of the intrinsic sapphire Q at this temperature. A local oscillator with this performance would allow new trapped-ion and cesium fountain frequency standards to realize their ultimate potential.
Details
- Volume
- 42-126
- Published
- August 15, 1996
- Pages
- 1–7
- File Size
- 189.5 KB