Reduction of magnetic-field-induced shift in quantum frequency standards based on coherent population trapping

We investigate the magnetic-field-induced frequency shift (MFS) of the clock “0–0” transition in the microwave quantum frequency standard (atomic clock) based on coherent population trapping (CPT) in 87Rb vapor. To scan the CPT resonance and to form the error signal, a method analogous to the Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) technique in the optical frequency range is employed, where the modulating frequency (fm) significantly exceeds the resonance linewidth (FWHM). The experiments demonstrate that this technique offers brilliant capabilities for controlling the sensitivity of the clock transition frequency to magnetic field variations in the vapor cell compared to the conventional method with low-frequency modulation (fm≪FWHM). Specifically, the PDH technique provides several optimal values of the bias magnetic field generated by the solenoid, at which the “0–0” transition frequency exhibits extremely low sensitivity to small variations in the external magnetic field. Furthermore, these magnetic field values can be easily adjusted by changing fm, which is relevant for the optimization of the atomic clock’s operating regime. The experimental results show that by using the PDH technique, the influence of MFS on the clock transition can be suppressed down to ≈3.2×10−13δB2mG−2. These findings can be leveraged both to relax stringent requirements for magnetic field shielding in state-of-the-art CPT-based miniature atomic clocks and to build a new generation of such clocks with long-term frequency stability better than 10−12.