Optimization of Operation Parameters in a Cesium Atomic Fountain Clock Using Monte Carlo Method
Hui Li,
Yuanbo Du,
Xian Yang,
Yunyi Guo,
Mingming Liu,
Wenbing Li,
Hongli Liu,
Zehuang Lu
Affiliations
Hui Li
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Yuanbo Du
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Xian Yang
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Yunyi Guo
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Mingming Liu
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Wenbing Li
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Zehuang Lu
MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement, Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Number of detected atoms and contrast of Ramsey fringe are critical operation parameters in an atomic fountain clock. To optimize these operation parameters, a Monte Carlo method is utilized to simulate the evolution of the atomic cloud. It is found that the physical variables, including atomic temperature, launching direction of the atomic cloud, and the initial position of the atomic cloud, have a large influence on the ratio of the returning atoms to the launching atoms, and consequently the detected atomic number, and the atomic temperature affects the pattern of the Ramsey fringe. In the experiment, these relevant physical variables are optimized and a returning ratio as high as 8.6%±0.4% is obtained for a cesium atomic fountain with a launch height of 1 m. In addition, the Ramsey fringe is experimentally optimized and the contrast of the central Ramsey fringe reaches 90%. The Monte Carlo method we used is also applicable in similar cold atoms experiments.
