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Physical Measurement Laboratory /Time and Frequency Division

Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group

The Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group performs research on ultracold atomic systems for future standards of time and frequency, for the calibration of International Atomic Time, and for probing fundamental physical theories through precision optical frequency measurements.

Neutral Atom Optical Clocks group

Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group

Our group researches the fundamental limits of optical atomic clocks based on neutral atoms, as well as their application to quantum sensing, fundamental physics, and precision measurement. This includes the development of ultra-stable laser sources for highly coherent atom-laser interactions. We leverage the extreme precision of optical clock systems to explore fundamental physics, like searches for dark matter and beyond-Standard-Model physics. Using new quantum technologies and the development of a mobile optical clock apparatus, we work to unleash the measurement power of optical clocks for new applications like mapping Earth’s geopotential via relativistic geodesy or re-defining the SI second with next-generation optical standards. Please see below for a more complete list of research projects and activity in our group. We have ongoing research opportunities for students and postdocs. For more information, see the contact information below.

News and Updates

Gray cylinder two inches in diameter, held in gloved fingers

Spotlight: Astro-Etalon

A small role can make an astronomical impact, as is the case for a tiny NIST-built piece of a new planet-hunting project from NASA and the National Science

Projects and Programs

Cryogenic sapphire optical cavity

Laser Stabilization and Coherence with Optical Resonators

Ongoing
Coherent laser interrogation of the narrowband electronic ‘clock’ transition is required to realize the very high spectroscopic resolution that make optical clocks so precise. At the same time, phase fluctuations in the laser interrogation can compromise the frequency stability of the optical clock
BO+WKB model

Optical Clock Atomic Structure and Theory

Ongoing
An atomic clock aims to realize the intrinsic ticking rate of an atom. This ticking rate (i.e., frequency) is associated with a transition between two quantum levels of the atom, where each level corresponds to a different configuration of the electrons around the nucleus. Atomic clocks derive their
atom chamber

Portable Optical Lattice Clock

Ongoing
Exploiting their very high precision, atomic clocks today are used extensively in demanding timekeeping applications. These include a variety of navigation, communication, and remote sensing and imaging applications. The very best atomic clocks today, optical clocks, are among the most precise
yb optical clock

Yb Optical Lattice Clock

Ongoing
In recent years, optical clocks have achieved performance that is orders of magnitude beyond more traditional atomic clocks utilizing a microwave timebase. A particularly promising type of advanced optical clock is the optical lattice clock. At their heart, these systems use an ensemble of ultracold

Contacts

Group Leader