Eur. Phys. J. AP 4, 219-225 (1998)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap:1998263

Metrological features of the rubidium two-photon standards of the BNM-LPTF and Kastler Brossel Laboratories

¹ Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, École Normale Supérieure, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Laboratoire associé au CNRS URA 18), 4 place Jussieu, Tour 12, E 01, C 74, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France
² Département de physique et modélisation, Université d'Évry-Val-d'Essonne, Boulevard des Coquibus, 91025 Évry Cedex, France
³ Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), Pavillon de Breteuil, 92312, Sèvres Cedex, France
⁴ Laboratoire Primaire du Temps et des Fréquences (BNM-LPTF) Observatoire de Paris, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France

Corresponding author: hilico@spectro.jussieu.fr

Received: 2 April 1998
Revised: 24 June 1998
Accepted: 26 June 1998
Published online: 15 November 1998

Abstract

We have built three optical frequency standards based on the two-photon transition of rubidium at 778 nm, and analysed their performance over a period of more than three years. We discuss some systematic effects that could lead to the reproducibility we observe, and point out the possible improvements of the devices. We also examine the short and long term stabilities of the systems, and show that we have reached their ultimate performances.