Year: 2023
Type: other
Abstract: Based on the development of atomic clocks and the definition of the unit of time via an atomic resonance frequency, time and frequencies are the most precisely measurable physical quantities. Over the past 30 years, the development of methods of cooling and trapping of atoms and ions and the development of low-noise laser oscillators and the invention of the optical frequency comb that establishes a link between microwave and optical frequencies with nearly perfect fidelity have led to impressive progress in the field. Optical clocks based on laser-cooled and trapped atoms and ions reach a systematic uncertainty in the low 1 0 − 18 range and below. This chapter presents the principles and methods that have enabled these performances.
Author: Ekkehard Peik
Institution: Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4372218098