Two-photon rubidium clock detecting 776~nm fluorescence

Abstract

The optical atomic clock based on the $5S_{1/2} \rightarrow 5D_{5/2}$ two-photon transition in rubidium is a candidate for a next generation, manufacturable, portable clock that fits in a small size, weight, and power (SWaP) envelope. Here, we report the first two-photon rubidium clock stabilized by detecting 776~nm fluorescence. We also demonstrate the use of a multi-pixel photon counter as a low voltage substitute to a photomultiplier tube in the feedback loop to the clock laser.