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Optical lattice clocks and quantum metrology

Nature Photonics volume 5, pages 203–210 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

The 'magic wavelength' protocol has made it possible to design atomic clocks based on well-engineered perturbations. Such 'optical lattice clocks' will allow extremely high stability using a large number of atoms and fractional uncertainties of ∼10−18 by sharing particular 'magic' wavelengths. This Review covers the experimental realizations of such clocks, the optimal design of optical lattices and recent demonstrations of improved stability for large numbers of atoms. Possible impacts and future applications of optical lattice clocks are also discussed, such as testing the fundamental laws of physics and developing relativistic geodesy.

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Figure 1: Optical clock operation.
Figure 2: An optical lattice clock.
Figure 3: Light shift and relevant energy levels of Sr atoms.
Figure 4: Optical lattice configurations.
Figure 5: Spectroscopy in optical lattices.
Figure 6: Frequency comparisons of 1D and 3D clocks.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks M. Takamoto and T. Takano for useful discussions and careful reading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8656, Tokyo, Japan

    Hidetoshi Katori

  2. Innovative Space-Time Project, ERATO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Bunkyo-ku, 113-8656, Tokyo, Japan

    Hidetoshi Katori

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Katori, H. Optical lattice clocks and quantum metrology. Nature Photon 5, 203–210 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2011.45

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