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National Physical Laboratory India has developed a cesium atomic fountain frequency standard. The fountain has now become operational and is ready for complete frequency evaluation. In this paper, we report for the first time, the preliminary results obtained with this fountain, which include Ramsey fringes, frequency stability analysis, with an H-maser, and magnetic field mapping in the atomic flight region. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper describes design details of low-cost, versatile, linear as well as digital optocoupler circuits used to reduce noise and ground loop errors in measurements. A detailed description of a linear optocoupler circuit for providing galvanic isolation between photodiode signal conditioner ground and the data logger ground is given. We also report use of two single-channel high-speed digital optocouplers to communicate through RS232 protocol isolating the ground of the devices in the detection region of the Cs fountain frequency standard being developed at NPL India. These isolators are versatile, affordable, and give very good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the design and development of the cesium fountain frequency standard at the National Physical Laboratory, India. The optical set-up of the fountain needed to capture, cool, launch and detect the cesium atoms is discussed in detail. The concept and design of physical structure of the fountain is also described. In addition, some of our recent results on cooling and trapping of cesium atoms are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]