Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Phase noise and frequency (in)stability both describe the fluctuation of stable periodic signals from somewhat different standpoints. Frequency is unique compared to other domains of metrology, in which its fluctuations of interest span at least 14 orders of magnitude, from$10^{-4}$in a mechanical watch to$10^{-18}$in atomic clocks. The frequency span of interest is some 12–15 orders of magnitude from$\mu$Hz to GHz Fourier frequency for phase noise, while the time span over which the fluctuations occur ranges from sub-μ s to years integration time for variances. Because this domain is ubiquitous in science and technology, a common language and tools suitable to the variety mentioned are a challenge. This article is at once: 1) a tutorial; 2) a review covering the most important facts about phase noise, frequency noise, and two-sample (Allan and Allan-like) variances; and 3) a user guide to “Enrico’s Chart of Phase Noise and Two-Sample Variances.” In turn, the Chart is a reference card collecting the most useful concepts, formulas, and plots in a single A4/A-size sheet, intended to be a staple on the desk of whoever works with these topics. The Chart is available under Creative Commons 4.0 CC-BY-NC-ND license from Zenodo, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4399218. A wealth of auxiliary material is available for free on Enrico’s home page: http://rubiola.org.
Authors: Enrico Rubiola, François Vernotte
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,345
Awards: G1373377859, Network of Facilities for Innovation, Research, Services and Training in Time & Frequency, G2659019386, G3434313504, G4307099416, G473330730, G5085159716, Ingénierie et Innovation par les sciences physiques, les savoir-faire technologiques et l'interdisciplinarité, G6803667113, G7240651115, G7376787254, Plateforme de Mesure de l'Instabilité des Oscillateurs, G943815690
OpenAlex ID: W4213409451