A new type of optical atomic clock using ytterbium-173 ions has the potential to revolutionize timekeeping. The clock combines the high accuracy of single-ion clocks with the improved stability of multi-ion operation, making it a promising candidate for the next generation of atomic clocks.
Researchers investigated energy shifts in 173Yb+ ions, combining experiment and theory to uncover the nucleus's magnetic field distribution. The study provides an experimental foundation for precise clocks and fundamental physics tests using complex ions like Yb+.
Researchers measured high-precision transition frequencies and isotope mass ratios in ytterbium isotopes to confirm a nonlinearity anomaly. The team established a new limit for the existence of dark forces and gained insights into atomic nucleus deformation, opening doors for collaboration in physics research.
A newly developed ion crystal clock has demonstrated record accuracy, reaching an uncertainty close to the 18th decimal place. This achievement marks a significant step towards redefining the second in the International System of Units (SI), as optical clocks are now 100 times more accurate than current caesium clocks.
Researchers at PTB create a nanoscale electron collider on a semiconductor chip, enabling precise synchronization of individual electrons for time-resolved interaction. The device demonstrates the potential for generating quantum entanglement, a key component of quantum computing.
Researchers at PTB used a sensitive atomic clock to compare with two other clocks, searching for oscillations signature of ultralight dark matter. No significant signal detected, setting new experimental upper limits on the coupling of ultralight matter to photons.
Scientists at PTB have developed an optical atomic clock using highly charged argon ions, achieving a measurement uncertainty comparable to existing clocks. The breakthrough uses advanced techniques to isolate and study highly charged ions, enabling new research opportunities in particle physics and beyond.
Researchers have successfully cooled a pair of highly charged ions to an unprecedentedly low temperature of 200 µK using quantum algorithms. This achievement brings the team closer to building an optical atomic clock with highly charged ions, which could potentially be more accurate than existing clocks.
Prof. Dr. Piet O. Schmidt receives EU funding to explore fundamental questions of modern physics, aiming to improve limits for new forces and changes in natural constants. His team plans to develop novel measurement methods using highly charged ions.
A team of researchers has successfully developed a highly sensitive magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology that can detect even fast brain oscillations produced in response to single sensory stimuli. This breakthrough enables noninvasive observation of nerve cells transmitting information, shedding light on factors such as alertness a...
Researchers from PTB and the University of Latvia have developed a statistical testing methodology for single-electron circuits, enabling the investigation of fundamental uncertainties. The new 'random-walk benchmark' provides a robust measure of assessing errors in quantum metrology.
Physicists at PTB and MPIK have developed a method to measure atomic frequencies in highly charged ions, increasing precision by a factor of 100 million. This breakthrough enables the creation of novel atomic clocks and new avenues for searching for new physics.
Researchers at PTB have implemented a novel pressure measurement method based on electrical measurements of helium gas, offering unique possibilities to investigate helium as an important model system for physics fundamentals. This new method has been compared with conventional mechanical and electrical pressure measurements, providing...
Quantum sensors achieve extremely accurate results, surpassing conventional physics limits, enabling precision measurements of molecules and improving gravitational wave detectors. The new approach reduces measurement time by half while maintaining or doubling resolution.
Scientists tested the symmetry of space-time by comparing two atomic clocks, confirming their excellent accuracy and a fundamental hypothesis of the theory of relativity. The experiment improved the limits for testing space-time symmetry by a factor of 100.
Researchers at PTB have successfully measured some important properties of the thorium-229 nucleus using optical methods, bringing scientists closer to developing an optical nuclear clock. This breakthrough uses laser excitation to monitor the nucleus's behavior and could lead to a more precise atomic clock.
Researchers use a transportable optical atomic clock to measure gravitation for the first time, with potential applications in monitoring continental height changes and improving national height systems. The technique has the potential to resolve height differences as small as 1 cm across the Earth's surface.
PTB physicists have developed a frequency-doubling unit that can endure transportation and maintain accuracy. The unit is based on a highly stable monolithic enhancement cavity for second harmonic generation, enabling reliable laser light for quantum-optical experiments.
Scientists from PTB create a model system using laser-cooled ytterbium ions to study friction phenomena at the atomic scale. They observe transitions between phases caused by structural defects, revealing dynamics comparable to DNA molecule chains.
Researchers from PTB and JILA develop a laser with an unprecedented 10 mHz linewidth, setting a new world record. The precision of the laser allows for accurate measurements in optical atomic clocks and spectroscopy.
Researchers measured transition between energy levels of lithium-like bismuth ions with unprecedented precision, contradicting existing theories. The discrepancy raises questions about the understanding of electron interaction with complex inner nuclear structures.
Scientists from PTB have determined the Boltzmann constant with an accuracy of 1.9 ppm, fulfilling a key condition for the redefinition of the kelvin unit. This achievement will enable the kelvin to be based on fundamental constants, providing a more stable and reliable definition.
High-precision optical clocks in Europe are connected via a 1400 km optical fibre link, confirming excellent quality of the connection. The connection allows for ultrastable high-precision optical reference signals to be disseminated to various users.
Researchers at PTB have developed an optical lattice clock with neutral strontium atoms, achieving the best stability worldwide thanks to a newly designed laser system. The clock has reached a fractional frequency instability of 8 E-17 and attains the quantum projection noise limit with as few as 130 atoms.
Scientists from PTB reduce the measurement uncertainty of their ytterbium clock to 3 E-18, exceeding predictions by Hans Dehmelt in 1981. The achievement showcases the accuracy and stability of optical atomic clocks.
Researchers at PTB have demonstrated non-destructive state detection technique for molecular ions, enabling novel spectroscopy methods with applications in chemistry and fundamental physics. The technique enables direct observation of quantum jumps in isolated molecules.
Scientists at PTB have successfully measured the anomalous velocity in a GaAs semiconductor with sub-picosecond time resolution, providing new insights into its microscopic origins and potential applications. The study enables the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic contributions to the anomaly.
Researchers measured thermal expansion of ceramics and silicon in a precise temperature range, revealing significant deviations from reference values. The results are crucial for future space missions like JWST and SPICA.
PTB researchers have developed a laser-based vector network analyzer (VNA) for precise and cost-effective high-frequency measurements. The new method enables frequency-resolved scattering parameter measurements on planar waveguides up to 500 GHz with a 500 MHz frequency spacing.
Researchers at PTB have successfully measured the thermoelectric properties of a single magnetic domain wall, a breakthrough that opens up new possibilities in spin caloritronics. The study reveals that the presence or absence of the domain wall leads to a measurable change in the thermoelectric voltage generated by the wire.
A team of physicists has successfully cooled highly-charged ions to sub-Kelvin temperatures, forming a Coulomb crystal that opens up new fields in laser spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables precision tests of quantum electrodynamics, measurement of nuclear properties, and laboratory astrophysics.
Researchers from Leibniz University Hannover and PTB have successfully demonstrated the on-demand emission of electron pairs from a semiconductor quantum dot. The resulting electron pairs were found to be spatially separated with over 90% efficiency, a crucial step towards future applications such as quantum computing and cryptography.
Researchers have developed a highly accurate airborne hygrometer, HAI, which simultaneously measures the amount of water present in the atmosphere as vapour, condensation, droplets, or ice. The device provides precise data on natural and anthropogenic cloud formation processes and their influence on climate development.
Researchers at PTB compared caesium and ytterbium atomic clocks, finding no detectable change in the mass ratio of protons to electrons up to a relative uncertainty of one part in ten million per year. This suggests fundamental constants remain stable over long periods.
Researchers from PTB have refuted the assumption that radioactive nuclides' decay rate depends on distance from the Sun. Long-term measurements show no seasonal variations or solar influence, contradicting previous US-American findings.
Researchers at PTB have developed an experiment to measure the stopping power of tissue for carbon ions, which will improve dosing for cancer therapy. The study found that carbon ions are less strongly stopped in liquid water than in water vapour.
Researchers have developed a new type of optical fiber that can guide UV laser light without being damaged. The fiber has a hollow core with a diameter of 20 µm, which allows for single-mode transmission and reduces loss. This breakthrough enables new applications in precision spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and process plasmas.
Researchers from the QUEST Institute have demonstrated a new method called photon-recoil spectroscopy, which enables the investigation of fast transitions in atoms or molecules. The method involves trapping two ions and using laser light pulses to measure their frequencies with unprecedented accuracy.
Researchers at PTB developed a novel approach to improve spectral distribution curves, correcting distortions caused by measuring instruments. The improved method can be applied in various fields of radiometry and photometry, including broadband and narrowband measurements.
Researchers have developed a new production method for graphene that uses aromatic molecules, enabling the creation of flexible graphene structures with specific functionality. The method allows for the manufacture of quantum dots, nanoribbons, and other nano-geometries with unique properties.
Researchers from Garching and Braunschweig transport frequencies with high precision over almost 2000 km to accurately determine the geoid of the Earth. The new technology allows for a height difference of 4 mm between clocks to be resolved within 100 seconds.
Scientists at PTB successfully generated and investigated symmetry-breaking in ion Coulomb crystals, mirroring the early universe. The research enables the study of quantum phase transitions and complex system dynamics.
Researchers from PTB and international partners have created superconducting sensors to detect the magnetic moments of helium-3 atoms with extreme sensitivity. This has allowed them to investigate the unique quantum liquid of helium-3 in detail, enabling the detection and investigation of excitations that behave like Majorana fermions.
A new laser hygrometer has been proven suitable as a transfer standard for atmospheric water vapor measurements, improving the accuracy of weather and climate models. The SEALDH system has demonstrated excellent performance in field conditions, with a detection limit in the ppm range and an ability to work autonomously.
Scientists have developed a method to prevent 'light shifts' in atomic energy levels using pulsed radiation. The 'hyper' Ramsey excitation scheme suppresses the effect, allowing for more accurate measurements and potentially greater accuracy in optical clocks.
Researchers develop new silicon resonator for ultra-stable laser, enabling narrower optical absorption lines and better optical atomic clocks. The stability of the laser is critical for these applications.
A new mini-sensor, Chip-scale Atomic Magnetometer (CSAM), has successfully measured the magnetic field of the human brain. The sensor's room temperature operation capability makes it more versatile than conventional cryoelectronics, which are limited to low temperatures.
A team of researchers has demonstrated an optical frequency transfer with high stability through a standard telecommunication optical fiber network. This achievement enables the ability to compare optical clocks located far apart and transmit their stability to distant laboratories, benefiting fundamental research in physics and industry.
Researchers at PTB have successfully excited a quantum-mechanically strongly forbidden transition in a ytterbium ion, allowing for an optical clock with unprecedented accuracy. The resulting clock is exact to 17 digits after the decimal point, and the relative uncertainty of the Yb+ frequency was determined with 7 • 10-17.
Researchers from PTB and Hanover have created a novel laser cooling method using a single laser source to bring a magnesium ion to a standstill. This technique allows for more precise measurements of the fine-structure constant, potentially resolving contradictions in astronomical data comparisons.