Cancellation of the Collisional Frequency Shift in Caesium Fountain Clocks

Published

April 13, 2007

Author(s)

K Szymaniec, W Chalupczak, Eite Tiesinga, Carl J. Williams, S Weyers, R. Wynands

Abstract

We have observed that the collisional frequency shift in primary caesium fountain clocks varies with the clock state population composition and, in particular, is zero for a given fraction of the |F = 4, mF = 0> atoms, depending on the initial cloud parameters. We present a theoretical model explaining our observations. The possibility of the collisional shift cancellation implies an improvement in the performance of caesium fountain standards and a simplification in their operation. Our results also have implications for test operation of fountains at multiple pi/2 pulse areas.

Citation

Physical Review Letters

Volume

98

Issue

15

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

atomic clocks, ceasium, ultracold collisions

Citation

Szymaniec, K. , Chalupczak, W. , Tiesinga, E. , Williams, C. , Weyers, S. and Wynands, R. (2007), Cancellation of the Collisional Frequency Shift in Caesium Fountain Clocks, Physical Review Letters (Accessed October 8, 2025)