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Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements

Optical atomic clock

Jun Ye

Published Jul 1, 2016• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Summary form only given. We precisely control the quantum states of more than 1000 strontium atoms to achieve a more stable and accurate atomic clock than any existing atomic clocks, with both stability and uncertainty reaching the 10-18level. Such advanced clocks will allow us to test fundamental laws of nature and fuel applications in a wide range of technological frontiers.

DOI
10.1109/cpem.2016.7540619

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Summary form only given. We precisely control the quantum states of more than 1000 strontium atoms to achieve a more stable and accurate atomic clock than any existing atomic clocks, with both stability and uncertainty reaching the 10-18level. Such advanced clocks will allow us to test fundamental laws of nature and fuel applications in a wide range of technological frontiers.
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In 2013, for the first time ever, a many-atom optical lattice clock surpassed single ion clocks as the most stable, and accurate frequency standard in existence. Since this first result, continued improvements to the clock's accuracy and stability have been made. This work will focus on two of these major improvements. Firstly the frequency uncertainty was brought down to 2.5*10^-18, thanks in part to an accurate determination of the black body radiation shift, based on better characterization of the level structure of 87Sr. Secondly, a control modification will be demonstrated which provides 20% reduction in the standard deviation for the clock's frequency under differential measurement schemes. This represents a new record for clock accuracy, pushing performance towards the 10^-19 level.
Optical atomic clocks based on laser-cooled trapped ions and atoms have advanced rapidly over the past decade. With fractional frequency uncertainties now surpassing 10 −18 , they are some of the most precise measurement tools ever built. Yet researchers are still pursuing new avenues of research to explore the fundamental limits to their stability, accuracy, and reproducibility. In this mini-review, we provide a survey of the current state of the art by describing the fundamental principles and techniques that underpin this progress, the architectures used to realize optical clocks, and the supporting laser technologies that are essential to their operation. We also examine the progress that has been made toward a redefinition of the second in the International System of Units and the inclusion of optical clocks into the global time and frequency metrology infrastructure. Finally, we discuss emerging applications of optical clocks and look at the prospects for making their precision more readily accessible to end users.
Techniques of modern quantum optics allows for the preparation of atoms in well controlled quantum states ideal for precision measurements and tests of fundamental laws of physics. We report on our recent progress with a highly stable and accurate optical atomic clock based on ultracold fermionic87Sr atoms confined in a one dimensional optical lattice. Currently, we have carried out a detailed evaluation of our clock at the 10−16level and can report stability at 2 x 10−15level at one second. At typical operating parameters for the clock we observe evidence of a density dependent clock shift. Operating the clock at a particular excitation ratio of ground state and excited clock state we observe a shift consistent with zero.
With timekeeping being of paramount importance for modern life, much research and major scientific advances have been undertaken in the field of frequency metrology, particularly over the last few years. New Nobel-prize winning technologies have enabled a new era of atomic clocks; namely the optical clock. These have been shown to perform significantly better than the best microwave clocks reaching an inaccuracy of 1.6 10^-18. With such results being found in large lab based apparatus, the focus now has shifted to portability - to enable the accuracy of various ground based clocks to be measured, and compact autonomous performance - to enable such technologies to be tested in space. This could lead to a master clock in space, improving not only the accuracy of technologies on which modern life has come to require such as GPS and communication networks. But also more fundamentally, this could lead to the redefinition of the second and tests of fundamental physics. Within the European collaboration, Space Optical Clocks (SOC2) consisting of various institutes and industry partners across Europe we have tried to tackle this problem of miniaturisation whilst maintaining stability, accuracy (5 10^-17) and robustness whilst keeping power consumption to a minimum -- necessary for space applications. We will present the most recent results of the Sr optical clock in SOC2 and also the novel compact design features, new methods employed and outlook.