Performance of a prototype microwave frequency standard based on trapped /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ ions

A microwave frequency standard based on buffer-gas cooled /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ ions confined in a linear Paul trap has been demonstrated in prototype form. The standard exhibits a fractional Allan deviation /spl sigma//sub y/(/spl tau/)=3.7/spl times/10/sup -13/ /spl tau//sup -1/2/ for /spl tau/<3000 s.<
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