Articles tagged with Atomic Clocks
Researchers from Adelaide University review the future of optical atomic clocks, finding them one of the most precise measurement tools ever built. The technology has advanced rapidly over the past decade and is well-positioned to become the gold standard for timekeeping, provided technical challenges are addressed.
Physicists at NIST have calculated the precise time difference between Earth and Mars, taking into account Martian surface gravity and its eccentric orbit. The clocks on Mars will tick 477 microseconds faster per day, affecting future space missions such as navigation and communication.
Researchers have utilized a thorium atomic clock to measure the fine structure constant with unprecedented precision, allowing for the investigation of its constancy. The study found that the fine structure constant can be detected three orders of magnitude more precisely than previous methods.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to improve the stability of optical atomic clocks by reducing quantum noise and stabilizing a laser. The approach, known as global phase spectroscopy, doubles the precision of an optical atomic clock, enabling it to discern twice as many ticks per second compared to traditional setups.
A multi-institutional group of researchers demonstrates reliable transfer of ultrastable optical signals through deployed multicore fiber alongside simulated telecom traffic. The achievement achieves a fractional frequency instability of just 3 × 10⁻¹⁹ over nearly 3 hours, suitable for demanding timekeeping and scientific measurements.
The new atomic fountain clock, NIST-F4, has been established as one of the world's most accurate timekeepers by NIST researchers. The clock measures a constant frequency in cesium atoms and has improved time signals used billions of times daily for various applications.
The thorium-229 nuclear optical clock has the potential to achieve a very high-precision time and frequency standard due to its unique properties. Despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain, including temperature sensitivity and the scarcity of the isotope.
Researchers at JILA have characterized a unique nuclear transition in thorium-229 atoms, which is less sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The study reveals that the transition shifts by only 62 kilohertz across a wide temperature range, making it promising for clock applications.
Physicists at JILA and University of Colorado Boulder investigate the interplay between general relativity and quantum entanglement in optical atomic clocks. They discover that interactions between atoms can help to lock them together, leading to unexpected phenomena like atomic synchronization and quantum entanglement.
Researchers have developed microcomb technology to miniaturize optical atomic clock systems, offering significant benefits for navigation, autonomous vehicles, and geo-data monitoring. The new system uses integrated photonics to integrate optical components on tiny photonic chips, reducing size and weight.
A team of international researchers has developed an innovative approach to detect dark matter by analysing data from ultra-stable lasers connected by fibre optic cables and atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites. They identified subtle effects of oscillating dark matter fields, which were invisible in previous searches.
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.
A new film made from a thorium precursor could replace crystals in atomic clocks, enabling more accurate time measurements. The film requires much less thorium-229 and is about as radioactive as a banana, paving the way for smaller, more portable, and cheaper nuclear clocks.
Researchers at JILA have created a new method to produce thin films of thorium tetrafluoride, making nuclear clocks thousand times less radioactive and cost-effective. The successful use of this technology marks a potential turning point in the development of nuclear clocks.
Researchers have developed a new ultrafast laser platform that generates ultra-broadband ultraviolet (UV) frequency combs with an unprecedented one million comb lines. This achievement provides exceptional spectral resolution and could enhance high-resolution atomic and molecular spectroscopy. The new approach also produces extremely a...
Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully applied quantum squeezing to enhance the accuracy of measurements in complex quantum systems. By reducing uncertainty in one aspect while increasing it in another, they can measure variables like position and momentum with greater precision.
Researchers have developed a new optical atomic clock that uses a single laser and doesn't require cryogenic temperatures, achieving similar performance to traditional clocks. The innovative design eliminates the need for extreme cooling, allowing for hot atoms and a simplified clock architecture.
Researchers from Okayama University successfully controlled the population of the thorium-229 isomeric state using X-rays, a crucial step towards building a compact and portable nuclear clock. This achievement demonstrates the potential for nuclear clocks to advance fundamental physics research and other applications such as GPS systems.
Scientists at TU Wien and JILA/NIST have successfully created the world's first nuclear clock, leveraging thorium atomic nuclei to achieve ultra-high precision measurements. The breakthrough combines a high-precision optical atomic clock with a high-energy laser system, setting the stage for future improvements in precision.
Scientists have successfully embedded a thorium atom within a crystal to raise its energy state using lasers, allowing for precise measurements of time, gravity, and other fields. This breakthrough could unlock the secrets of fundamental constants of nature and test if they vary.
Researchers at JILA have built an atomic clock that is more precise and accurate than any previous clock, enabling pinpoint navigation in space and searches for new particles. The clock's high precision could reveal hidden underground mineral deposits and test fundamental theories like general relativity with unprecedented rigor.
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a new microcomb laser design that provides low power efficiency, high tunability, and easy operation. The simplified approach enables direct control over the comb with a single switch, opening up potential applications in telecommunications systems, LiDAR for autonomous vehicles.
Physicists from TU Darmstadt propose a new approach to define and measure the time required for quantum tunneling. They suggest using Ramsey clocks, which utilize the oscillation of atoms to determine the elapsed time. The proposed method may correct previous experiments that observed particles moving faster than light during tunneling.
Physicists have achieved a breakthrough by exciting thorium atomic nuclei with lasers for the first time, enabling precise tracking of their return to original energy states. This discovery has far-reaching implications for precision measurement techniques, including nuclear clocks and fundamental questions in physics.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a new method for measuring time using superradiant atoms, which could improve precision in areas like GPS systems and space travel. The technique uses superradiance to read out atomic oscillations without heating up the atoms.
Researchers have successfully excited a scandium-45 nuclear isomer using X-ray pulses, paving the way for the creation of the world's most precise clock. The breakthrough has significant implications for fields such as nuclear physics, satellite navigation, and telecommunications.
Researchers at DESY and European XFEL developed a new generation of atomic clocks using scandium, enabling unprecedented precision. The team detected an extremely narrow resonance line in the element's nucleus, which enables accuracy of one second in 300 billion years.
Scientists at the University of Innsbruck improved atomic clock accuracy by using finite-range interactions to create entanglement, reducing measurement errors by roughly half.
Researchers have created chip-based optical frequency combs using dissipative Kerr solitons, increasing output power for applications like atomic clocks. The advancement paves the way for highly portable precision metrology devices.
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.
Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a capability to transmit extremely precise time signals through the air between far-flung locations, paving the way for ultra-precise timing links with geosynchronous satellites. The method enables time synchronization with femtosecond precision and robustness in atmospheric disturbances.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new navigation system using cosmic-ray muons, which can accurately determine position in underground environments. The MuWNS system uses time synchronization to achieve accuracy comparable to single-point GPS positioning aboveground.
Researchers have characterized the excitation energy of thorium-229 with great precision, a crucial step towards creating the first nuclear clock. The nuclear clock would register forces inside the atomic nucleus, enabling scientists to delve deeper into fundamental physical phenomena.
Researchers develop new way to generate squeezing that overcomes fundamental quantum imprecision, enabling more precise atomic clocks and improved quantum sensors. The new approach leverages bosonic pair creation and enables entangled states with minimal fuss, reducing experimental challenges.
Researchers propose using space atomic clocks to detect ultralight dark matter oscillations near the Sun. The experiment aims to probe a region with minimal constraints on dark matter density, potentially leading to world-leading limits on dark matter searches.
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 at the University of Sussex have created an 'eternal engine' to keep next-generation atomic clocks ticking, enabling portable versions that can replace existing satellite navigation systems. The breakthrough uses microcombs and self-emergence technology to ensure stable operation in various conditions.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a transportable optical clock system that addresses key barriers to deploying quantum clocks in real-world settings. The new design can capture nearly 160,000 ultra-cold atoms within an ultra-high vacuum chamber and survive long-distance transportation, paving the way for wides...
The cosmic time synchronizer uses cosmic rays from deep space to detect specific signatures, allowing devices to synchronize their clocks accurately. This technology has the potential to fill gaps in current time synchronization methods, particularly in remote or underwater locations.
Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have developed a programmable quantum sensor that can measure with even greater precision, using tailored entanglement to optimize performance. The sensor autonomously finds its optimal settings through free parameters, promising a significant advantage over classical computers.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed an ultra-precise atomic clock that can measure time differences to a precision equivalent to losing one second every 300 billion years. By using a 'multiplexed' optical clock design, the team was able to test ways to search for gravitational waves and detect dark matter with unprecedented accuracy.
Physicists have measured Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity at the smallest scale ever, demonstrating time dilation effects between two tiny atomic clocks separated by just a millimeter. The experiments suggest a way to make atomic clocks 50 times more precise than today's best designs.
Researchers develop multiplexed optical lattice atomic clock, achieving unprecedented precision and enabling new physics discoveries, including testing gravitational waves and detecting dark matter. The clock's performance surpasses expectations, allowing for longer experiments and potential applications in real-world settings.
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.
Researchers at Washington State University have created a technique to observe matter wave caustics in atom lasers, resulting in curving cusps or folds. These findings have potential applications for highly precise measurement and timing devices, including interferometers and atomic clocks.
The NIST team compared three top atomic clocks, including the aluminum-ion clock, ytterbium lattice clock, and strontium lattice clock, with record accuracy over both air and optical fiber links. The measurements resulted in uncertainties of only 6 to 8 parts in 10^18 for both fiber and wireless links.
Researchers at MIT have designed an atomic clock that measures the vibrations of entangled atoms, achieving four times faster precision than current state-of-the-art clocks. This breakthrough enables scientists to detect phenomena like dark matter and gravitational waves, while also shedding light on gravity's impact on time.
Researchers have successfully boosted the signal power of their atomic 'tweezer clock', measuring its performance for the first time. The upgraded clock platform achieved record-breaking quantum coherence, with individual atoms vibrating in unison for over 30 seconds.
Researchers used a state-of-the-art atomic clock to narrow the search for elusive dark matter, setting new limits on ultralight dark matter's coupling strength. The study established constraints on the floor of normal fluctuations, providing sensitivity to cosmological models of dark matter and accepted physics theories.
Researchers have successfully connected two optical atomic clocks in Italy and Japan, separated by 8700 km, using radio telescopes observing distant stars. This achievement could provide a global infrastructure for high-precision timekeeping and unlock new possibilities for studying fundamental physics and general relativity.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technology that boosts the stability of microwave signals 100-fold, enabling more accurate time dissemination, navigation, and imaging. The new method uses advanced atomic clocks and frequency combs to transfer optical clock stability to the microwave domain.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a pulsed optically pumped (POP) atomic clock with unprecedented frequency stability of 4.7 × 10−15 at 10^4 seconds. The new design overcomes challenges in temperature control and barometric effects, ensuring accuracy for global navigation and communication services.
Researchers in Japan have developed a low-noise fiber link to connect high-precision clocks, enabling the creation of powerful networks for applications like earthquake detection and communication systems. The system uses a cascaded link with ultralow-noise laser repeater stations to minimize noise and stabilize the laser signal.
Researchers have developed a new optical atomic clock called the 'tweezer clock' that uses laser tweezers to manipulate individual atoms. This design combines the advantages of two existing approaches, offering improved accuracy and precision, and paving the way for advances in fundamental physics research and new technologies.
The JILA team has demonstrated a highly accurate timekeeping signal by combining data from multiple atomic clocks. The system outperforms existing hubs and offers the possibility of providing more accurate time to millions of customers worldwide.
The new clock platform combines near-continuous operation with strong signals and high stability, featuring unique possibilities for enhancing clock performance. Preliminary data suggest the design is promising, with the tweezer clock providing self-verifying performance 96% of the time.
The 2019 Blavatnik National Laureates are Heather J. Lynch from Stony Brook University, a theoretical physicist from University of Colorado Boulder, and a chemical biologist from Harvard University. They were recognized for their innovative work in predicting penguin colony population growth and collapse due to climate change.
Physicists at NIST have demonstrated a compact, high-stability chip-scale atomic clock using rubidium atoms and frequency combs. The clock requires minimal power and has the potential to replace traditional oscillators in navigation systems and telecommunications networks.
Researchers have achieved record-breaking accuracy with an optical clock, setting a new standard for cesium-referenced measurements. The high accuracy of optical clocks could support advances in timing systems used in navigation and communication systems, enabling more precise measurements of physical phenomena not yet fully understood.
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.