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An ultra-stable optical frequency reference for space

Schuldt, Thilo and Döringshoff, Klaus and Kovalchuk, Evgeny and Pahl, J. and Gohlke, Martin and Weise, Dennis and Johann, U. and Peters, A. and Braxmaier, Claus (2014) An ultra-stable optical frequency reference for space. In: international conference on space optics 2014. International Conference on Space Optics, 2014-10-07 - 2014-10-10, Tenerife, Spain. doi: 10.1117/12.2304103.

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Abstract

We realized ultra-stable optical frequency references on elegant breadboard (EBB) and engineering model (EM) level utilizing Doppler-free spectroscopy of molecular iodine near 532nm. A frequency stability of about 1⋅10-14 at an integration time of 1 s and below 5⋅10-15 at integration times between 10 s and 100 s was achieved. These values are comparable to the currently best laboratory setups. Both setups use a baseplate made of glass material where the optical components are joint using a specific assembly-integration technology. Compared to the EBB setup, the EM setup is further developed with respect to compactness and mechanical and thermal stability. The EM setup uses a baseplate made of fused silica with dimensions of 380 x 180 x 40 mm3 and a specifically designed 100 x 100 x 30 mm3 rectangular iodine cell in nine-pass configuration with a specific robust cold finger design. The EM setup was subjected to thermal cycling and vibrational testing. Applications of such an optical frequency reference in space can be found in fundamental physics, geoscience, Earth observation, and navigation & ranging. One example is the proposed mSTAR (mini SpaceTime Asymmetry Research) mission, dedicated to perform a Kennedy-Thorndike experiment on a satellite in a sunsynchronous low-Earth orbit. By comparing an iodine standard to a cavity-based frequency reference and integration over 2 year mission lifetime, the Kennedy-Thorndike coefficient will be determined with up to two orders of magnitude higher accuracy than the current best ground experiment. In a current study, the compatibility of the payload with the SaudiSat-4 host vehicle is investigated. I.

Item URL in elib:https://elib.dlr.de/94571/
Document Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Title:An ultra-stable optical frequency reference for space
Authors:
AuthorsInstitution or Email of AuthorsAuthor's ORCID iDORCID Put Code
Schuldt, ThiloDLR-RY, BremenUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Döringshoff, KlausHumboldt University Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Kovalchuk, EvgenyHumboldt University Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Pahl, J.Huboldt-University BerlinUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Gohlke, MartinDLR-RY, Germany, 5Humboldt University, Department of Physics, 12489 Berlin, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Weise, DennisAstrium GmbH–Satellites, 88039 Friedrichshafen, GermanyUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Johann, U.EADS Astrium, FriedrichshafenUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Peters, A.Humboldt Univ., BerlinUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Braxmaier, ClausUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Date:2014
Journal or Publication Title:international conference on space optics 2014
Refereed publication:No
Open Access:No
Gold Open Access:No
In SCOPUS:No
In ISI Web of Science:No
DOI:10.1117/12.2304103
Status:Published
Keywords:Frequency, Kennedy-Thorndike, mSTAR
Event Title:International Conference on Space Optics
Event Location:Tenerife, Spain
Event Type:international Conference
Event Start Date:7 October 2014
Event End Date:10 October 2014
HGF - Research field:Aeronautics, Space and Transport
HGF - Program:Space
HGF - Program Themes:Earth Observation
DLR - Research area:Raumfahrt
DLR - Program:R EO - Earth Observation
DLR - Research theme (Project):R - Vorhaben GRACE Follow-On (old)
Location: Bremen
Institutes and Institutions:Institute of Space Systems > Systems Enabling Technologies
Deposited By: Hüls, Simone
Deposited On:13 Jan 2015 12:46
Last Modified:24 Apr 2024 20:00

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