Related papers: Months-long real-time generation of a time scale b…
A sharp resonance line that appears in three-photon transitions between the $^{1}S_{0}$ and $^{3}P_{0}$ states of alkaline earth and Yb atoms is proposed as an optical frequency standard. This proposal permits the use of the even isotopes,…
This paper discusses how to build a time scale with an intermittently-operated optical clock. In particular, it gives suggestions on how long and how often to run an optical clock. It also explores the benefits of having an optical clock in…
Optical lattice clocks surpass primary Cs microwave clocks in frequency stability and accuracy, and are promising candidates for a redefinition of the second in the International System of Units (SI). However, the robustness of optical…
We report on a $^{88}$Sr$^{+}$ single-ion optical clock with an estimated fractional systematic uncertainty of $7.9\times 10^{-19}$. The low uncertainty is enabled by small rf losses, a thorough evaluation of the blackbody-radiation…
The rapid increase in accuracy and stability of optical atomic clocks compared to the caesium atomic clock as primary standard of time and frequency asks for a future re-definition of the second in the International System of Units (SI).…
We report the synthesis and measurement of an ultra-precise and extremely stable optical frequency in the telecommunications window around 1543 nm. Using a fibre-based femtosecond frequency comb we have phase-stabilised a fibre laser at 194…
Precise time scale is the universal base for all measurements. Here we report the deployment of a compact and transportable optical clock to a timekeeping institution and steering an active hydrogen maser to generate an optical time scale,…
The superb precision of an atomic clock is derived from its stability. Atomic clocks based on optical (rather than microwave) frequencies are attractive because of their potential for high stability, which scales with operational frequency.…
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…
Current state-of-the-art frequency standards are passive optical atomic clocks where the frequency of an optical resonator is stabilized to a narrow atomic transition. Passive clocks have achieved unprecedented stabilities of 6.6 x 10--19…
With 87-Sr atoms confined in a one dimensional optical lattice, the frequency of the optical clock transition 5s^2 ^1S_0 - 5s5p ^3P_0 has been determined to be 429 228 004 229 872.9(5) Hz. The transition frequency was measured with the help…
There has been tremendous progress in the performance of optical frequency standards since the first proposals to carry out precision spectroscopy on trapped, single ions in the 1970s. The estimated fractional frequency uncertainty of…
Transition frequencies of atoms and ions are among the most accurately accessible quantities in nature, playing important roles in pushing the frontiers of science by testing fundamental laws of physics, in addition to a wide range of…
During the last years the transfer of frequency signals through optical fibers has shown ultra low instabilities in various configurations. The outstanding experimental results of such point-to-point connections is motivation to develop a…
We present a measurement of the absolute frequency of the 5s$^2$ $^1$S$_0$ to 5s5p $^3$P$_0$ transition in $^{87}$Sr, which is a secondary representation of the SI second. We describe the optical lattice clock apparatus used for the…
The experimental comparison of two thulium optical lattice clocks in a time interval of up to one hour has been carried out. The synchronous comparison of a clock transition in two independent atomic ensembles using a single ultrastable…
The passage of time is tracked by counting oscillations of a frequency reference, such as Earth's revolutions or swings of a pendulum. By referencing atomic transitions, frequency (and thus time) can be measured more precisely than any…
Atomic frequency standards are used to generate accurate and precise time and frequency, enabling many communications, synchronization, and navigation systems in modern life. GPS and other satellite navigation systems, voice and data…
Optical atomic clocks promise timekeeping at the highest precision and accuracy, owing to their high operating frequencies. Rigorous evaluations of these clocks require direct comparisons between them. We have realized a high-performance…
In trapped-atom clocks, the primary source of decoherence is often the phase noise of the oscillator. For this case, we derive theoretical performance gains by combining several atomic ensembles. For example, M ensembles of N atoms can be…