Light Shift Suppression in Coherent-Population-Trapping Atomic Clocks in the Field of Two Circularly Polarized Light Beams

Abstract

The state-of-the-art miniature atomic clocks (MACs) are based on the phenomenon of coherent population trapping (CPT) in alkali-metal atomic vapors (Rb or Cs). Increasing frequency stability of the clocks is an urgent issue that will lead to significant progress in many fields of application. Here, we examine a light field configuration composed of two bichromatic light beams with opposite handedness of their circular polarization. The beams are in resonance with optical transitions in the Cs D$_1$ line ($\lambda$$\approx$$895$ nm). This configuration has already been known for observing CPT resonances of an increased contrast compared to a standard single-beam scheme. However, in contrast to previous studies, we use a scheme with two independent pump and probe beams, where the probe beam transmission is separately monitored. The experiments are carried out with a buffer-gas-filled $5$$\times$$5$$\times$$5$ mm$^3$ vapor cell. It is shown that the resonance's line shape acquires asymmetry which can be efficiently controlled by a microwave (Raman) phase between the beams. As a proof of concept, we study the way how this asymmetry can help to significantly mitigate the influence of ac Stark (light) shift on a long-term frequency stability of CPT clocks. The experimental verification is performed both with a distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) laser and a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The latter has a particular importance for developing MACs. The results of experiments are in qualitative agreement with analytical theory based on a double $\Lambda$ scheme of atomic energy levels.