Project: High-accuracy optical clocks with trapped ions
Atomic clocks form the basis of timekeeping and are used in navigation and communications. The most advanced optical clocks now exceed the best clocks based on the current definition of the second in terms of reproducibility. The SI unit of time also plays a role in defining other units such as the metre and the ampere. This project will produce a selection of optical clocks with the potential to become primary standards and make improvements to key components within the clocks such as ion traps and lasers. The clocks use laser-cooled trapped ions and trials of aluminium, strontium and ytterbium ions will identify the best candidates with regards to performance and complexity. The goal of the project is to comprehensively evaluate the performance of optical clocks as well as to provide a set of absolute frequency measurements and a set of optical frequency ratio measurements, to be used as input to a redefinition of the second.
| Acronym | SIB04 ion clock (Reference Number: SIB04) |
| Duration | 01/05/2012 - 30/04/2015 |
| Project Topic | Metrology |
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Project Results (after finalisation) |
See Website |
| Website | visit project website |
| Network | EMRP |
| Call | EMRP Call 2011 - Health, SI Broader Scope and New Technologies |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt | Coordinator | Germany |
| 2 | Cesky Metrologicky Institut | Partner | Czech Republic |
| 3 | Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy | Partner | Finland |
| 4 | NPL Management Limited | Partner | United Kingdom |