The JPL Hg⁺ Extended Linear Ion Trap Frequency Standard: Status, Stability, and Accuracy Prospects

Abstract

Microwave frequency standards based on room temperature ¹⁹⁹Hg⁺ ions in a Linear Ion Trap (LITS) presently achieve a Signal to Noise and line Q inferred short frequency stability. Long term stability has been measured for averaging intervals up to 5 months with apparent sensitivity to variations in ion number/temperature limiting the flicker floor.