Terahertz frequency standard based on three-photon coherent population trapping.
A scheme for a terahertz frequency standard based on three-photon coherent population trapping in stored ions is proposed. Assuming the propagation directions of the three lasers obey the phase matching condition, we show that stability of few 10(-14) at 1 s can be reached with a precision limited by power broadening to 10(-11) in the less favorable case. The referenced terahertz signal can be propagated over long distances, the useful information being carried by the relative frequency of the three optical photons.
Physique des Interactions Ioniques et Moléculaires, CNRS UMR 6633, Université de Provence, Centre de Saint Jérôme, Case C21, Marseille Cedex 20, France. caroline.champenois@univ-provence.fr
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Champenois
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Hagel
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Houssin
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Knoop
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Zumsteg
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Vedel