Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Comptes Rendus Physique

Progress on the optical lattice clock

Andrew D. Ludlow, Jun Ye

Published May 23, 2015• 14 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Optical lattice clocks have made significant leaps forward in recent years, demonstrating the ability to measure time/frequency at unprecedented levels. Here we highlight this progress, with a particular focus on research efforts at NIST and JILA. We discuss advances in frequency instability and the characterization of key systematic effects, with a brief outlook to the future.

DOI
10.1016/j.crhy.2015.03.008

Related papers

Precision measurement and frequency metrology with ultracold atoms

Xibo Zhang, Jun Ye

Abstract Precision measurement and frequency metrology have pushed many scientific and technological frontiers in the field of atomic, molecular and optical physics. In this article, we provide a brief review on the recent development of optical atomic clocks, with an emphasis placed on the important inter-dependence between measurement precision and systematic effects. After presenting a general discussion on the motivation and techniques behind the development of optical lattice clocks, where the use of many atoms greatly enhances the measurement precision, we present the JILA strontium optical lattice clock as the leading system of frequency metrology with the lowest total uncertainty, and we describe other related research activities. We discuss key ingredients that have enabled the optical lattice clocks with ultracold atoms to reach the 18th digit in both precision and accuracy. Furthermore, we discuss extending the power of precision clock spectroscopy to study quantum many-body physics and to provide control for atomic quantum materials. In addition, we explore future research directions that have the potential to achieve even greater precision.

National Science Review•Mar 15, 2016•39 citations

87Sr optical lattice clocks at JILA

Michael J. Martin, Matthew D. Swallows, Travis Nicholson +5 more

We describe recent experimental progress with the JILA Sr optical frequency standard, which has a systematic uncertainty at the 10-16fractional frequency level, currently limited by frequency shifts due to atomic interactions and room temperature blackbody radiation (BBR). We will discuss systematic measurements of collisional shifts and provide a complete theory to understand these interaction effects at the 10-17level. We will also discuss plans to interrogate atoms inside a cryogenic shield region to eliminate BBR shifts. We will present our recent successful efforts in improving the laser stability with the aim for the JILA Sr standard to reach the standard quantum measurement limit and achieve record levels of stability. Finally, a second Sr optical lattice clock has been constructed at JILA, and we will discuss the results of intercomparison experiments between the two standards.

Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements•Jul 1, 2012•0 citations

Operating a 87 Sr optical lattice clock with high precision and at high density

Matthew D. Swallows, Michael J. Martin, Michael Bishof +5 more

We describe recent experimental progress with the JILA Sr optical frequency standard, which has a systematic uncertainty at the 10-(16) fractional frequency level. An upgraded laser system has recently been constructed in our lab which may allow the JILA Sr standard to reach the standard quantum measurement limit and achieve record levels of stability. To take full advantage of these improvements, it will be necessary to operate a lattice clock with a large number of atoms, and systematic frequency shifts resulting from atomic interactions will become increasingly important. We discuss how collisional frequency shifts can arise in an optical lattice clock employing fermionic atoms and describe a novel method by which such systematic effects can be suppressed.

IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control•Mar 1, 2012•46 citations

Optical atomic clocks: defining the future of time and frequency metrology

Tara M. Fortier, Andre Nicholas Luiten, Helen S. Margolis

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.

Optica•Dec 10, 2025•17 citations

Trapped-ion optical Atomic Clocks at the Quantum Limits

David R. Leibrandt, Samuel M. Brewer, Jwo-Sy Chen +4 more

Frequency and its inverse, time, are the most accurately measured quantities. Historically, improvements in the accuracy of clocks have enabled advances in navigation, communication, and science. Since 1967, the definition of the International System (SI) second has been based on the frequency of a microwave transition in cesium, and present day cesium atomic clocks have a fractional uncertainty near 10-16. Recently, a new type of atomic clock based on optical transitions has been developed, with a current fractional uncertainty near 10-18 (approximately one second divided by the age of the universe), and they are rapidly improving. This talk presents a brief summary of the development of optical atomic clocks, with a focus on the Al+ quantum-logic clock developed at NIST. We discuss the current state-of-the-art in optical clock performance, and describe new applications in sensing and fundamental physics. Future directions in optical atomic clock research are also considered.

Proceedings of the ... annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Systems and Applications Meeting/Proceedings of a meeting - Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Systems and Applications Meeting•Mar 7, 2017•3 citations

Transportable optical lattice clocks for metrology and beyond

Masao Takamoto

Optical atomic clocks based on optical transitions have achieved a fractional uncertainty of 10−18, representing a two-order-of-magnitude improvement over caesium clocks. This remarkable progress has prompted ongoing discussions on redefining the SI second using optical standards. Beyond frequency metrology, such unprecedented precision enables new applications in fields ranging from relativistic geodesy to fundamental physics. To advance these possibilities, we have developed a transportable optical lattice clock and demonstrated its practical operation. In this presentation, we will outline the development of transportable optical lattice clocks and highlight their applications.

Real-time Measurements, Rogue Phenomena, and Single-Shot Applications•Mar 4, 2026•0 citations
Optical lattice clocks have made significant leaps forward in recent years, demonstrating the ability to measure time/frequency at unprecedented levels. Here we highlight this progress, with a particular focus on research efforts at NIST and JILA. We discuss advances in frequency instability and the characterization of key systematic effects, with a brief outlook to the future.
Abstract Precision measurement and frequency metrology have pushed many scientific and technological frontiers in the field of atomic, molecular and optical physics. In this article, we provide a brief review on the recent development of optical atomic clocks, with an emphasis placed on the important inter-dependence between measurement precision and systematic effects. After presenting a general discussion on the motivation and techniques behind the development of optical lattice clocks, where the use of many atoms greatly enhances the measurement precision, we present the JILA strontium optical lattice clock as the leading system of frequency metrology with the lowest total uncertainty, and we describe other related research activities. We discuss key ingredients that have enabled the optical lattice clocks with ultracold atoms to reach the 18th digit in both precision and accuracy. Furthermore, we discuss extending the power of precision clock spectroscopy to study quantum many-body physics and to provide control for atomic quantum materials. In addition, we explore future research directions that have the potential to achieve even greater precision.
We describe recent experimental progress with the JILA Sr optical frequency standard, which has a systematic uncertainty at the 10-16fractional frequency level, currently limited by frequency shifts due to atomic interactions and room temperature blackbody radiation (BBR). We will discuss systematic measurements of collisional shifts and provide a complete theory to understand these interaction effects at the 10-17level. We will also discuss plans to interrogate atoms inside a cryogenic shield region to eliminate BBR shifts. We will present our recent successful efforts in improving the laser stability with the aim for the JILA Sr standard to reach the standard quantum measurement limit and achieve record levels of stability. Finally, a second Sr optical lattice clock has been constructed at JILA, and we will discuss the results of intercomparison experiments between the two standards.
We describe recent experimental progress with the JILA Sr optical frequency standard, which has a systematic uncertainty at the 10-(16) fractional frequency level. An upgraded laser system has recently been constructed in our lab which may allow the JILA Sr standard to reach the standard quantum measurement limit and achieve record levels of stability. To take full advantage of these improvements, it will be necessary to operate a lattice clock with a large number of atoms, and systematic frequency shifts resulting from atomic interactions will become increasingly important. We discuss how collisional frequency shifts can arise in an optical lattice clock employing fermionic atoms and describe a novel method by which such systematic effects can be suppressed.
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.
Frequency and its inverse, time, are the most accurately measured quantities. Historically, improvements in the accuracy of clocks have enabled advances in navigation, communication, and science. Since 1967, the definition of the International System (SI) second has been based on the frequency of a microwave transition in cesium, and present day cesium atomic clocks have a fractional uncertainty near 10-16. Recently, a new type of atomic clock based on optical transitions has been developed, with a current fractional uncertainty near 10-18 (approximately one second divided by the age of the universe), and they are rapidly improving. This talk presents a brief summary of the development of optical atomic clocks, with a focus on the Al+ quantum-logic clock developed at NIST. We discuss the current state-of-the-art in optical clock performance, and describe new applications in sensing and fundamental physics. Future directions in optical atomic clock research are also considered.
Optical atomic clocks based on optical transitions have achieved a fractional uncertainty of 10−18, representing a two-order-of-magnitude improvement over caesium clocks. This remarkable progress has prompted ongoing discussions on redefining the SI second using optical standards. Beyond frequency metrology, such unprecedented precision enables new applications in fields ranging from relativistic geodesy to fundamental physics. To advance these possibilities, we have developed a transportable optical lattice clock and demonstrated its practical operation. In this presentation, we will outline the development of transportable optical lattice clocks and highlight their applications.