Accession Number:
ADA623568
Title:
An Atomic Clock with 10 (exp -18) Instability
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Corporate Author:
MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH CAMBRIDGE
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
2013-09-13
Pagination or Media Count:
7.0
Abstract:
Atomic clocks have been instrumental in science and technology, leading to innovations such as global positioning, advanced communications, and tests of fundamental constant variation. Timekeeping precision at 1 part in 10 exp 18 enables new timing applications in relativistic geodesy, enhanced Earth- and space-based navigation and telescopy, and new tests of physics beyond the standard model. Here, we describe the development and operation of two optical lattice clocks, both using spin-polarized, ultracold atomic ytterbium. A measurement comparing these systems demonstrates an unprecedented atomic clock instability of 1.6 x exp -18 after only 7 hours of averaging.
Descriptors:
- *ATOMIC CLOCKS
- *INSTABILITY
- ATOMIC ENERGY LEVELS
- CAVITIES
- DETECTION
- DOPPLER EFFECT
- EXCITATION
- FEEDBACK
- FREQUENCY MODULATION
- FREQUENCY SYNTHESIZERS
- GEODESY
- GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
- LASERS
- LATTICE DYNAMICS
- OPTICAL PROPERTIES
- POLARIZATION
- PRECISION
- QUANTUM THEORY
- SPIN STATES
- TEST AND EVALUATION
- UNCERTAINTY
- VARIATIONS
Subject Categories:
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment
- Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
- Optics