Cryogenic optical lattice clocks with a relative frequency difference of $1\times 10^{-18}$
Abstract
Time and frequency are the most accurately measurable quantities, providing foundations for science and modern technologies. The accuracy relies on the SI (Syst\'eme International) second that refers to Cs microwave clocks with fractional uncertainties at . Recent revolutionary progress of optical clocks aims to achieve uncertainty, which however has been hindered by long averaging-times or by systematic uncertainties. Here, we demonstrate optical lattice clocks with Sr atoms interrogated in a cryogenic environment to address the blackbody radiation-induced frequency-shift, which remains the primary source of clocks' uncertainties and has initiated vigorous theoretical and experimental investigations. The quantum-limited stability for atoms allows investigation of the uncertainties at in two hours of clock operation. After 11 measurements performed over a month, the two cryo-clocks agree to within . Besides its contribution to fundamental science and the redefinition of the SI second, such a speedy comparison of accurate clocks provides a means for relativistic geodesy.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1405.4071,
title = {Cryogenic optical lattice clocks with a relative frequency difference of $1\times 10^{-18}$},
author = {Ichiro Ushijima and Masao Takamoto and Manoj Das and Takuya Ohkubo and Hidetoshi Katori},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1405.4071},
year = {2014}
}