Integrating Optical-Clock Technology into an Operational Timescale

Summary We present a scheme for integrating optical clock technology into an operational timescale. Using a telecom laser stabilized to a high-finesse cavity and an optical frequency comb, we generate low-phase noise microwaves that can be steered using a rubidium (Rb) fountain clock to improve long-term stability. The optical system has promising robustness and improves the performance of the Rb fountain. The photonic microwave can be integrated directly into the timescale for the best short-term performance, or used to steer a H maser for maximum reliability.