An atomic clock with 10-18 instability

Published

September 13, 2013

Author(s)

Andrew D. Ludlow, Nathan M. Hinkley, Jeffrey A. Sherman, Nate B. Phillips, Marco Schioppo, Nathan D. Lemke, Kyle P. Beloy, M Pizzocaro, Christopher W. Oates

Abstract

Atomic clocks have been transformational in science and technology, leading to innovations such as global positioning, advanced communications, and tests of fundamental constant variation. Next-generation optical atomic clocks can extend the capability of these timekeepers, where researchers have long aspired toward measurement precision at 1 part in 10¹⁸. This milestone will enable a second revolution of new timing applications such as relativistic geodesy, enhanced Earth- and space-based navigation and telescopy, and new tests on physics beyond the Standard Model. Here, we describe the development and operation of two optical lattice clocks, both utilizing spin-polarized, ultracold atomic ytterbium. A measurement comparing these systems demonstrates an unprecedented atomic clock instability of 1.6x10^-18 after only 7 hours of averaging.

Citation

Science

Volume

341

Pub Type

Journals

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Local Download

Keywords

atomic clock, frequency standard, optical clock, optical lattice, ytterbium

Citation

Ludlow, A. , Hinkley, N. , Sherman, J. , Phillips, N. , Schioppo, M. , Lemke, N. , Beloy, K. , Pizzocaro, M. and Oates, C. (2013), An atomic clock with 10^-18 instability, Science, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=914109 (Accessed October 7, 2025)