A frequency-modulated spectrometry (FMS) output is used to stabilize an atomic clock by serving as an error signal to regulate the clock's oscillator frequency. Rubidium 87 atoms are localized within a hermetically sealed cell using an optical (e.g., magneto-optical) trap. The oscillator output is modulated by a sinusoidal radio frequency signal and the modulated signal is then frequency doubled to provide a modulated 788 nm probe signal. The probe signal excites the atoms, so they emit 775.8 nm fluorescence. A spectral filter is used to block 788 nm scatter from reaching a photodetector, but also blocks 775.8 nm fluorescence with an angle of incidence larger than 8° relative to a perpendicular to the spectral filter. The localized atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° effective angle of incidence so an FMS output with a high signal-to-noise ratio is obtained.

A frequency-modulated spectrometry (FMS) output is used to stabilize an atomic clock by serving as an error signal to regulate the clock's oscillator frequency. Rubidium 87 atoms are localized within a hermetically sealed cell using an optical (e.g., magneto-optical) trap. The oscillator output is modulated by a sinusoidal radio frequency signal and the modulated signal is then frequency doubled to provide a modulated 788 nm probe signal. The probe signal excites the atoms, so they emit 775.8 nm fluorescence. A spectral filter is used to block 788 nm scatter from reaching a photodetector, but also blocks 775.8 nm fluorescence with an angle of incidence larger than 8° relative to a perpendicular to the spectral filter. The localized atoms lie within a conical volume defined by the 8° effective angle of incidence so an FMS output with a high signal-to-noise ratio is obtained.

An angular rate sensor. The sensor includes a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) resonator, configured to oscillate in a first normal mode and in a second normal mode; a frequency reference configured to generate a reference signal; and a first phase control circuit. The first phase control circuit is configured to: measure a first phase difference between: a first phase target, and the difference between: a phase of an oscillation of the first normal mode and a phase of the reference signal. The first phase control circuit is further configured to apply a first phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce the first phase difference. A second phase control circuit is similarly configured to apply a second phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce a corresponding, second phase difference.

An angular rate sensor. The sensor includes a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) resonator, configured to oscillate in a first normal mode and in a second normal mode; a frequency reference configured to generate a reference signal; and a first phase control circuit. The first phase control circuit is configured to: measure a first phase difference between: a first phase target, and the difference between: a phase of an oscillation of the first normal mode and a phase of the reference signal. The first phase control circuit is further configured to apply a first phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce the first phase difference. A second phase control circuit is similarly configured to apply a second phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce a corresponding, second phase difference.

An ensemble of spin defect centers or other atom-like quantum systems in a solid-state host can be used as a compact alternative for an atomic clock thanks to an architecture that overcomes magnetic and temperature-induced systematics. A polariton-stabilized solid-state spin clock hybridizes a microwave resonator with a magnetic-field-insensitive spin transition within the ground state of a spin defect center (e.g., a nitrogen vacancy center in diamond). Detailed numerical and analytical modeling of this polariton-stabilized solid-state spin clock indicates a potential fractional frequency instability below 10.sup.−13 over a 1-second measurement time, assuming present-day experimental parameters. This stability is a significant improvement over the state-of-the-art in miniaturized atomic vapor clocks.

An ensemble of spin defect centers or other atom-like quantum systems in a solid-state host can be used as a compact alternative for an atomic clock thanks to an architecture that overcomes magnetic and temperature-induced systematics. A polariton-stabilized solid-state spin clock hybridizes a microwave resonator with a magnetic-field-insensitive spin transition within the ground state of a spin defect center (e.g., a nitrogen vacancy center in diamond). Detailed numerical and analytical modeling of this polariton-stabilized solid-state spin clock indicates a potential fractional frequency instability below 10.sup.−13 over a 1-second measurement time, assuming present-day experimental parameters. This stability is a significant improvement over the state-of-the-art in miniaturized atomic vapor clocks.

Provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a radiation shield 10 including a shield wall surrounding a hollow region capable of accommodating therein atoms for an optical lattice clock 100, the shield wall having, provided therein, at least two apertures communicating with outside. A geometrical shape of an inner wall surface of the shield wall is configured such that a difference between BBR shifts found under two conditions does not exceed a predetermined value over a range of position of atoms, the BBR shifts being caused in atoms 2 by emitted radiation emitted by the inner wall surface, incoming radiation leaking in from the outside through the apertures, and a reflection component of the emitted radiation and incoming radiation at the inner wall surface, the two conditions being a condition where the inner wall surface exhibits mirror reflection and a condition where the inner wall surface exhibits diffuse reflection, the range being where clock transition operation is carried out in the optical lattice clock, the inner wall surface facing the hollow region. Provided according to other embodiments of the present disclosure also are the optical lattice clock 100 including such a radiation shield, and a design method for the radiation shield.

Provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a radiation shield 10 including a shield wall surrounding a hollow region capable of accommodating therein atoms for an optical lattice clock 100, the shield wall having, provided therein, at least two apertures communicating with outside. A geometrical shape of an inner wall surface of the shield wall is configured such that a difference between BBR shifts found under two conditions does not exceed a predetermined value over a range of position of atoms, the BBR shifts being caused in atoms 2 by emitted radiation emitted by the inner wall surface, incoming radiation leaking in from the outside through the apertures, and a reflection component of the emitted radiation and incoming radiation at the inner wall surface, the two conditions being a condition where the inner wall surface exhibits mirror reflection and a condition where the inner wall surface exhibits diffuse reflection, the range being where clock transition operation is carried out in the optical lattice clock, the inner wall surface facing the hollow region. Provided according to other embodiments of the present disclosure also are the optical lattice clock 100 including such a radiation shield, and a design method for the radiation shield.

Smart electric meters configured to perform fast, time-synchronized electrical energy measurements at the consumer-level are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a smart electric meter includes circuitry configured to measure an electrical value at a location of an end user in a power system. The smart electric meter can further include an atomic clock configured to output a timing signal, and a controller configured to receive (a) the measured electrical value from the circuitry and (b) the timing signal from the atomic clock. The controller can further (a) process the electrical value to generate meter data and (b) generate a time tag based on the timing signal. Then, the controller can associate the time tag with the meter data to generate time-tagged meter data.

Smart electric meters configured to perform fast, time-synchronized electrical energy measurements at the consumer-level are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a smart electric meter includes circuitry configured to measure an electrical value at a location of an end user in a power system. The smart electric meter can further include an atomic clock configured to output a timing signal, and a controller configured to receive (a) the measured electrical value from the circuitry and (b) the timing signal from the atomic clock. The controller can further (a) process the electrical value to generate meter data and (b) generate a time tag based on the timing signal. Then, the controller can associate the time tag with the meter data to generate time-tagged meter data.