An optical frequency standard based on ultracold magnesium atoms

This paper presents the recent experimental results on development of an optical frequency standard based on ultra cold magnesium atoms with relative frequency uncertainty and long term stability at the level of Δ v/v <10⁻¹⁶. We stabilized the frequency of our clock laser system at 655 THz to narrow Ramsey fringes in a time separated laser fields interacting with cooled Mg atoms localized in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). The intercombination line ¹S₀→³P₁ was used as the reference for frequency stabilization. The results of stabilization were studied with femtosecond comb based on Ti:Sa laser. (paper)