NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Device Program

NIST Atomic Devices and 

Instrumentation Group led by 

John Kitching
Motivation

• Atomic-clock-quality timing and synchronization underpin a broad range of 

technologies and infrastructures. 

• GPS, telecom, power distribution, surveillance, mineral exploration, space 

applications, etc. etc. 10-11 to 10-15 uncertainty.

• Many of these applications benefit from FIELDABLE atomic-clock-timing.
Motivation

• Master clocks (long 

term synchronization)

• Secure 

communications

• Deep space 

navigation

• GPS Master clock 

(ground)

• Large scale 

communications 

systems

• Power grids

• GPS Space Clocks

• Local synchronization

• Local communications hubs

• Instrumentation level 

flywheels

• Short haul navigation

• Local communications

10-15 clocks 

(0.1/month)

10-13 clocks 

(10/month)

10-9 clocks 

(100,000/month)

10-11 clocks 

(1,000/month)

• $1M.

• 10 m.

• 1,000 W.

• $70k.

• 1 m.

• 50 W.

• $3k.

• 15 cm.

• 2 W.

• $1k.

• 2 cm.

• 1 W.
Motivation

• Master clocks (long 

term synchronization)

• Secure 

communications

• Deep space 

navigation

• GPS Master clock 

(ground)

• Large scale 

communications 

systems

• Power grids

• GPS Space Clocks

• Local synchronization

• Local communications hubs

• Instrumentation level 

flywheels

• Short haul navigation

• Local communications

10-15 clocks 

(0.1/month)

10-13 clocks 

(10/month)

10-9 clocks 

(100,000/month)

10-11 clocks 

(1,000/month)

• $1M.

• 10 m.

• 1,000 W.

• $70k.

• 1 m.

• 50 W.

• $3k.

• 15 cm.

• 2 W.

• $1k.

• 2 cm.

• 1 W.

Opportunities for Improvement in fielded applications?

Size, weight, power, cost, performance, etc.
Motivation

• Master clocks (long 

term synchronization)

• Secure 

communications

• Deep space 

navigation

• GPS Master clock 

(ground)

• Large scale 

communications 

systems

• Power grids

• GPS Space Clocks

• Local synchronization

• Local communications hubs

• Instrumentation level 

flywheels

• Short haul navigation

• Local communications

10-15 clocks 

(0.1/month)

10-13 clocks 

(10/month)

10-9 clocks 

(100,000/month)

10-11 clocks 

(1,000/month)

• $1M.

• 10 m.

• 1,000 W.

• $70k.

• 1 m.

• 50 W.

• $3k.

• 15 cm.

• 2 W.

• $1k.

• 2 cm.

• 1 W.

Ultraminiature clock?

10-11 and better.

$0.1k

0.1 cm

0.01 W
DARPA Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC) Program

• Stimulated by NIST pioneering demonstrations and follow-up 

workshops on ultraminiature atomic clocks ~1999.

• Funded NIST to perform fundamental research and metrology.

• Funded companies to perform manufacturable demonstrations.

• Beginning 2002.

• NIST focus:

• Coherent population trapping (CPT) as new approach eliminating 

need for large microwave cavity.

• Use standard MEMS and microfabrication techniques to develop a 

device mass-manufacturable in principle.

• NIST outcomes;

• World’s first chip-scale atomic clock 2004.

• World’s first chip-scale atomic magnetometer 2005.

• Follow-on program of broad range of chip-scale atomic sensors.

• A feasibility demonstration of NIST on a Chip.
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC)

9.2 GHz pulse 9.2 GHz pulse

9.2 GHz

“Typical” high performance atomic clock

Requires microwave cavity on scale of several wavelengths (9.2 GHz ~ 3 cm).

Establishes fundamental minimum limit on size.

Microwave

Cavity

Microwave

Cavity
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC)

Coherent population trapping.

All optical approach. No microwave cavity needed.
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC)

Focus on manufacturability.

Use COTS where possible and standard MEMS fabrication.

Potential for wafer-level assembly.
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC)

Atomic Vapor Cell a Challenge.
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC)

NIST world first CSAC demonstrated 2004.

10-11 uncertainty initially.

Stratum 1 telecom standard.

Improved to 10-12 uncertainty.

After demonstration, NIST transferred 

CSAC technology to manufacturers.

NIST focused on chip-scale atomic 

magnetometry.

Symmetricom: First commercial CSAC.

January 2011.

10-11 uncertainty.
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Magnetometer (CSAM)

NIST world first CSAM demonstrated 2005.

Modest performance initially.

Performance rapidly improved to rival best in the 

world SQUID at 1,000,000 times smaller, 100 

times less power, no cryogen needed, potential 

for low cost mass production.

Hz

2005

2007

2011

0.3 K SQUID

4.2 K SQUID
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Magnetometer (CSAM)

Seconds

Biomagnetic

fields.

Heart, brain, 

muscles.

SQUID

SQUID
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Device Program

Zero-field NMR for “remote” chemical 

analysis and zero-field MRI.

Some current research directions.

Biomagnetic field measurement arrays for 

diagnostics/imaging on heart, brain, muscles.

Brain/machine interface.

NMR gyroscopes/accelerometers.
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Device Program

Cold-atom chip-scale atomic devices.

Clocks, magnetometers, gyros, etc.

1,000x performance improvement 

compared to standard CSAD.

Some current research directions.

NIST on a Chip.
NIST Chip-Scale Atomic Device Program

• More than 130 scientific publications.

• 8 patents (most include external partners).

• Dozens of conferences and workshops.

• Dozens of postdocs and grad students 

trained, many going to industry jobs related to 

atomic sensors.

• Multiple national and international scientific 

awards.

• NIST/DoC awards.

• Broad recognition in technical and public 

press.

• On-going intense interest and funding from 

other Federal agencies.