Analysis of a Cesium lattice optical clock

Abstract

We propose and analyze a Cesium lattice optical clock (CLOC) which has the potential for high performance and simple operation in a compact form factor using a forbidden optical transition in Cs atoms at 685 nm. Cs atoms are trapped in a 3D optical lattice using a magic trap wavelength of $\lambda_{\textrm m}=803~\textrm nm$. To reduce sensitivity to magnetic fields the atoms are probed on two cycling transitions with equal magnitude, but opposite magnetic shifts. Operation of the clock requires only three diode lasers at 685, 803, 852 nm and is simplified compared to other higher-performance optical clocks that rely on alkaline earth atoms or single trapped ions. Analysis shows a quantum noise limited stability of $8.4\times 10^{-16}/\sqrt\tau$ and the potential for reaching 1 ns timing uncertainty at 1 month with realistic system parameters.