Frequency combs for precision synthesis and characterization of atomic standards.

Published

October 16, 2023

Author(s)

Tara Fortier

Abstract

Over the past 20 years optical frequency combs, with atomic clocks, have been a powerful and enabling technology in the context of time and frequency measurement. Impressively, optical atomic clocks have yielded an 8 order of magnitude improvement in accuracy in the past 30 years. These improvements are fueling a push toward redefinition of the SI second to optical atomic references, as well as application of atomic clocks to tests of fundamental physics and as relativistic gravitational sensors. Unfortunately, the long measurement times needed to average down clock quantum projection noise and local oscillator noise to reach measurement stabilities at and beyond the 10−18 level, limit the feasibility of next-generation applications. Here I describe the measurement advances in clock comparisons enabled by optical frequency combs and how differential measurement can improve the measurement stability. This paper will also include a discussion of optical frequency combs and their application to precision time/frequency metrology.

Proceedings Title

The 9th Symposium on Frequency Standards and Metrology

Conference Dates

October 5-20, 2023

Conference Location

Kingscliff, AU

Conference Title

9th Symposium on Frequency Standards and Metrology

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

Frequency combs, precision metrology, atomic clocks, clock characterization, tests of fundamental physics

Citation

Fortier, T. (2023), Frequency combs for precision synthesis and characterization of atomic standards., The 9th Symposium on Frequency Standards and Metrology, Kingscliff, AU, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=957426 (Accessed March 8, 2025)