Towards the realization of the first European MEMS atomic clock

This paper presents the preliminary results of developments of the European version of MEMS atomic clock presenting a short-term stability of 5times10^-11 over 1 hour while operating with less than 200 mW power consumption. The frame of such developments is the European proposal MAC-TFC (www.mac-tfc.eu), bringing together a consortium made of five major academic institutions (University of Besanccedilon, University of Neuchacirctel, EPFL-Lausanne, Technological University of Wroclaw, University of Ulm); two research institutes (VTT and CEA/Leacuteti) and three industrial partners (SAES Getters, SWATCH R&D and Oscilloquartz).