Abnormalities of the time comparisons of atomic clocks during the solar eclipses

Summary We have investigated into the time comparison data of the atomic clocks of some stations and have found that the solar eclipse has influence on the time comparison of atomic clocks. The authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.     

Satellite virtual atomic clock with pseudorange difference function

Satellite atomic clocks are the basis of GPS for the control of time and frequency of navigation signals. In the Chinese Area Positioning System (CAPS), a satellite navigation system without the satellite atomic clocks onboard is successfully developed. Thus, the method of time synchronization based on satellite atomic clocks in GPS is not suitable. Satellite virtual atomic clocks are used to implement satellite navigation. With the satellite virtual atomic clocks, the time at which the signals are transmitted from the ground can be delayed into the time that the signals are transmitted from the satellites and the pseudorange measuring can be fulfilled as in GPS. Satellite virtual atomic clocks can implement the navigation, make a pseudorange difference, remove the ephemeris error, and improve the accuracy of navigation positioning. They not only provide a navigation system without satellite clocks, but also a navigation system with pseudorange difference. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB815502) and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2007AA12Z300)     

On the measurement of proper time in general relativity by means of atomic clocks

The quantity , which is called the proper time of a particle in the general theory of relativity, has the following meaning: it is the time measured by clocks moving with the particle. The question arises of how proper time is measured by real clocks. At present, atomic clocks are the most accurate, being stabilized by the frequency of intraatomic transitions. In the present paper, the stability of the reference frequency of such clocks is considered, i.e., the possible discrepancies between the proper time and the time measured by atomic clocks.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 1, pp. 99–102, January, 1981.     

The analysis of time: Is the relativistic time unique?

Time is analyzed by considering the actual setup of clock system within the four-dimensional framework. We find that both relativistic time and universal time can be embedded in such a symmetry framework. Although Poincaré and Einstein both understood the meaning of Lorentz's local time in terms of sending light signals to calibrate clocks, they differed on a basic point: Einstein believed local time to be the necessary and unique time, while Poincaré admitted flexibility in the definitions of time and regarded local time as only a convention. The results of our analysis shed light on Poincaré's original idea concerning conventions of time and provide the conceptual basis for the formulation of a new four-dimensional symmetry with a universal time. We demonstrate that the one-way speeds of light measured by stable atomic clocks in rockets may not be isotropic, in contrast to the two-way speeds of light. Furthermore, atomic clocks can be used to set up a clock system which reads a universal (but not absolute) time.I dedicate this paper to the memory of my beloved father Hsu Mau-Yuen (1903–1977), whose understanding helped me to choose to work on physical problems. Part of the research was accomplished while I held an NRC Senior Resident Research Associateship.     

Coherent manipulation of atomic qubits in optical micropotentials

We experimentally demonstrate the coherent manipulation of atomic states in far-detuned dipole traps and registers of dipole traps based on two-dimensional arrays of microlenses. By applying Rabi, Ramsey, and spin-echo techniques, we systematically investigate the dephasing mechanisms and determine the coherence time. Simultaneous Ramsey measurements in up to 16 dipole traps are performed and prove the scalability of our approach. This represents an important step in the application of scalable registers of atomic qubits for quantum information processing. In addition, this system can serve as the basis for novel atomic clocks making use of the parallel operation of a large number of individual clocks each remaining separately addressable. PACS 03.67.Lx; 32.80.Pj; 42.50.-p     

Theoretical analysis of suppressing Dick effect in Ramsey-CPT atomic clock by interleaving lock

For most pulsed atomic clocks, the Dick effect is one of the main limits to reach its frequency stability limitation due to quantum projection noise. In this paper, we measure the phase noise of the local oscillator in the Ramsey-CPT atomic clock and calculate the Dick effect induced Allan deviation based on a three-level atomic model, which is quite different from typical atomic clocks. We further present a detailed analysis of optimizing the sensitivity function and minimizing the Dick effect by interleaving lock. By optimizing the duty circle of laser pulses, average time during detection and optical intensity of laser beam, the Dick effect induced Allan deviation can be reduced to the level of 10~(-14).     

Atomic fountains and optical clocks at SYRTE: Status and perspectives

In this article, we report on the work done with the LNE–SYRTE atomic clock ensemble during the last 10 years. We cover the progress made in atomic fountains and in their application to timekeeping. We also cover the development of optical lattice clocks based on strontium and on mercury. We report on tests of fundamental physical laws made with these highly accurate atomic clocks. We also report on work relevant to a future possible redefinition of the SI second.     

Cold atom clocks and their applications in precision measurements

Cold atom clocks have made remarkable progresses in the last two decades and played critical roles in precision measurements. Primary Cs fountain frequency standards have achieved a total uncertainty of a few parts in 1016, and the best optical clock has reached a type B uncertainty below 10-18. Besides applications in the metrology, navigation, etc.,ultra-stable and ultra-accurate atomic clocks have also become powerful tools in the basic scientific investigations. In this paper, we focus on the recent developments in the high-performance cold atomic clocks which can be used as frequency standards to calibrate atomic time scales. The basic principles, performances, and limitations of fountain clocks and optical clocks based on signal trapped ion or neutral atoms are summarized. Their applications in metrology and other areas are briefly introduced.     

Frequency shifts in a cesium atomic clock due to Majorana transitions

This paper deals with a theoretical model which describes the effect of Majorana transitions on the frequency of a cesium atomic clock. In contrast to the explanations given in the past, the phase correlation between the individual successive excitations in inhomogeneous magnetic fields and the microwave resonator are for the first time taken into account. The π transitions with the selection rule ΔF = 1, Δm = ± 1 are of particular importance. The theory allows experimental results obtained in the past with the CSX apparatus, in particular the large frequency shifts observed, to be interpreted. The effect on the determination of the uncertainty of primary atomic clocks will be discussed.     

Optical lattice clocks

Optical lattice clocks, which were first imagined in 2000, should allow to achieve unprecedented performances in the domain of atomic clocks. We first discuss here the principle of operation of these clocks, in particular trapping atoms in the Lamb-Dicke regime and the notion of magic wavelength. We then describe the operation of an actual lattice clock using Sr atoms and developed at LNE-SYRTE. Its present accuracy is 2.6 ⋅ 10^-15.     

从引力波探测中的压缩光到光原子钟

2020年度“墨子量子奖”授予量子精密测量领域,获奖科学家是Carlton Caves,香取秀俊和叶军.香取秀俊和叶军又获得2021年基础物理学突破奖.对于引力波探测中的量子噪声,Caves分析了海森堡不确定关系所带来的测量精度极限,并且提出用压缩光来克服这个极限.这个方法已经被探测引力波的激光干涉仪实际采用.原子钟基于原子中电子改变能量状态时,发射或吸收的电磁波,提供了最精确的时间和频率标准.与基于微波的原子钟相比.光原子钟,特别是光晶格上的大量原子,可以达到更好的精度.叶军的研究组将约1万个锶原子放在3维光晶格中,实现光原子钟,相对精度达到2.5×10^-19.香取秀俊的研究组搭建的两个可移动光原子钟,精度达到了5×10^-18,并用来测量了引力红移,达到地面测量的最好精度.     

Development of the quantum discriminator for compact atomic clock

In the Laboratory of Frequency Standards, Quantum Radiophysics Division, Lebedev Physical Institute, a compact atomic standard of frequency and time is being developed. The results of this study make it possible to achieve a narrower metrological resonance of coherent population trapping (CPT) than in developed foreign analogues of compact atomic clocks, which will have a direct effect on the standard stability. The effect of the combination of buffer gas and antirelaxation coating on the CPT amplitude and resonance width are studied; parameters of short-cavity diode lasers (SCDLs) specially developed in collaboration with the Polyus Research and Development Institute are studied. A prototype of the compact physical discriminator for the atomic clock is developed and assembled. The dark width of the metrological resonance in the discriminator is less than 1 kHz, which theoretically implies the development of a compact atomic clock with a stability (Allan parameter) no worse than 3 · 10⁻¹² per hour.     

Trapping of neutral mercury atoms and prospects for optical lattice clocks

We report vapor-cell magneto-optical trapping of Hg isotopes on the (1)S(0)-(3)P(1) intercombination transition. Six abundant isotopes, including four bosons and two fermions, were trapped. Hg is the heaviest nonradioactive atom trapped so far, which enables sensitive atomic searches for "new physics" beyond the standard model. We propose an accurate optical lattice clock based on Hg and evaluate its systematic accuracy to be better than 10;{-18}. Highly accurate and stable Hg-based clocks will provide a new avenue for the research of optical lattice clocks and the time variation of the fine-structure constant.     

Spontaneous emission from an atom in a photonic crystal with two coherent bands

The dynamic and the radiative properties of an excited three-level atom embedded in an anisotropic photonic crystal with two coherent bands are investigated.The relative position of the atom in a Wigner-Seitz cell is described with a position-dependent parameter θ(r0),which is used as the coherent parameter for the two bands.The result shows that the dynamic properties of the atomic system are not only determined by atomic transition frequencies,but also affected by the gap width and the coherence of the two bands.In addition,the spontaneous emission spectrum of the atomic transition in free space is discussed.The center and the intensity of the spectrum can be obviously manipulated via the coherent parameter.     

广义相对论浅释(1)

本文用通俗的方法介绍了广义相对论的基本思想 ,并得到了史瓦西场时空弯曲的规律及质点在史瓦西场中自由运动的规律 ,从而解决了引力红移 ,CS原子钟环地球飞行后与地面上 CS原子钟的时差 ,行星进动 ,光子经过太阳表面时的偏转角 ,雷达回波延迟等问题 .     

The abnormal influence of the partial solar eclipse on December 24th, 1992, on the time comparisons between atomic clocks

Summary During the partial solar eclipse on Dec. 24th, 1992, time comparisons between atomic clocks were made: direct comparisons between different clocks at one and the same station, clock transport comparisons, GPS comparisons and LOC comparisons. And it is concluded from the observations that solar eclipse exerts an influence on the rate of atomic clocks. Project Supported by the State Science and Technology Commission of China and by the National Natural Foundation of China.     

Is there a universal scale of time?

The assumption that the same universal scale of time applies for different physical laws depends uponthe hypothesis that there is a unique universal scale of time in the universe. Intrinsic to that hypothesis is the assumption that if extraneous factors that affect physical clocks and processes that run on different physical principles could be removed, all clocks are synchronizable with one another. The consequences of that hypothesis not being true are considered. It was found thatclock asynchrony implies that: (1) a mass variation theory is probable; (2) there is a need for multiple clocks; and (3) t in the equations of physics is referring to clocks rather than time such that the properties of time are reduced to its direction (as characterized by thermodynamics and cosmology).     

Clocks in Weyl space-time

This paper deals with the usual methods for the construction of clocks as a first step in the direction of measurements in Weyl space-time. The atomic clocks constructed via atomic transitions, and the gravitational clocks constructed by the method of Marzke and Wheeler measure quantities with Weyl weights zero, whereas the Kundt and Hoffmann method for the construction of a clock was not found to be suitable. The atomic clocks are suitable for the chronometry and as a result of the chronometry it is shown that the Weyl space-time should be integrable.     

Some fundamental physics experiments using atomic clocks and sensors

We present several experiments in fundamental physics that use atomic clocks and sensors together with high performance time/frequency transfer methods. Our account is far from being exhaustive and instead concentrates on a chosen subset of present and future experiments, whilst providing some theoretical background. We only give very brief overviews of the experiments and theories, but provide ample references for the interested reader.