Related papers: Measuring Time with Minimal Clocks

At the intersection of quantum theory and relativity lies the possibility of a clock experiencing a superposition of proper times. We consider quantum clocks constructed from the internal degrees of relativistic particles that move through…

Physical clocks provide more precision than applications can use. For example, a 64 bit NTP clock allows a precision of 233 picoseconds. In this paper, we focus on whether the least significant bits that are not useful to the applications…

As a consequence of gravitomagnetism, which is a fundamental weak-field prediction of general relativity and ubiquitous in gravitational phenomena, clocks show a difference in their proper periods when moving along identical orbits in…

We show that the light shift in atomic clocks can be suppressed using time variation of the interrogation field intensity. By measuring the clock output at two intensity levels, error signals can be generated that simultaneously stabilize a…

It is usually assumed that the "$t$" parameter in the equations of dynamics can be identified with the indication of the pointer of a clock. Things are not so easy, however. In fact, since the equations of motion can be written in terms of…

A time scale is a procedure for accurately and continuously marking the passage of time. It is exemplified by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and provides the backbone for critical navigation tools such as the Global Positioning System…

We present a general relativistic model of a spherical shell of matter with a perfect fluid on its surface coupled to an internal oscillator, which generalizes a model recently introduced by the authors to construct a self-gravitating…

Synchronizing clocks to measure time is a fundamental process underpinning every practical communication task from GPS to parallel computation. However, as the current protocols are based on classical communication between the sender and…

The origin and nature of time in complex systems is explored using quantum (or 'Feynman') clocks and the signals produced by them. Networks of these clocks provide the basis for the evolution of complex systems. The general concept of…

A driven linear oscillator and a feedback mechanism are two necessary elements of any classical periodic clock. Here, we introduce a novel, fully quantum clock using a driven oscillator in the quantum regime and coherent quantum feedback.…

We theoretically analyse an autonomous clock comprising a nanoelectromechanical system, which undergoes self-oscillations driven by electron tunnelling. The periodic mechanical motion behaves as the clockwork, similar to the swinging of a…

Measurements take a singular role in quantum theory. While they are often idealized as an instantaneous process, this is in conflict with all other physical processes in nature. In this Letter, we adopt a standpoint where the interaction…

We present a model of systems of cells with intracellular oscillators (`clocks'). This is motivated by examples from developmental biology and from the behavior of organisms on the threshold to multicellularity. Cells undergo random motion…

The temporal behaviour of segmentation clock oscillations show phase synchrony via mean field like coupling of delta protein restricting to nearest neighbours only, in a configuration of cells arranged in a regular three dimensional array.…

The subject of time in quantum mechanics is of perennial interest especially because there is no observable for the time taken by a particle to transmit (or reflect) from a particular region. Several methods have been proposed based on…

Atomic clocks have been transformational in science and technology, leading to innovations such as global positioning, advanced communications, and tests of fundamental constant variation. Next-generation optical atomic clocks can extend…

Time crystals are quantum systems which are able to reveal condensed matter behavior in the time domain. It is known that crystalization in time can be observed in a periodically driven many-body system when interactions between particles…

We provide a brief discussion regarding relativistic limits on the discretization and temporal resolution of time values in a quantum clock. Our clock is characterized by a time observable chosen to be the complement of a bounded and…

Time is a parameter playing a central role in our most fundamental modelling of natural laws. Relativity theory shows that the comparison of times measured by different clocks depends on their relative motion and on the strength of the…

We show how a suitably prepared set of clocks can be used to determine all components of the gravitational field in General Relativity. We call such an experimental setup a clock compass, in analogy to the usual gravitational compass.…