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Optical Lattice Clocks for Precision Time and Frequency Metrology

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Principles and Methods of Quantum Information Technologies

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 911))

Abstract

An optical lattice operated at the “magic wavelength” provides a platform for precision metrology of time and frequency, where an atomic ensemble serves as a reference with precisely-controlled quantum states. Such an optical lattice clock allows extremely high accuracy and stability at the level of 10−18. This review outlines the principles and experimental realization of optical lattice clocks, in particular, the demonstration of quantum projection noise limited stability and the reduction of the uncertainty induced by the blackbody radiation. As a future prospect, we discuss the application of optical lattice clocks as a tool for relativistic geodesy.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the FIRST Program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and by the Photon Frontier Network Program of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Quantum Metrology Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Masao Takamoto & Hidetoshi Katori

  2. Innovative Space-Time Project, ERATO, JST, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan

    Masao Takamoto & Hidetoshi Katori

  3. RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan

    Masao Takamoto & Hidetoshi Katori

  4. Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan

    Hidetoshi Katori

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  1. ImPACT Program, Council for Science Technology and Innovation, Tokyo, Japan

    Yoshihisa Yamamoto

  2. National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Koganei, Tokyo, Japan

    Kouichi Semba

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Takamoto, M., Katori, H. (2016). Optical Lattice Clocks for Precision Time and Frequency Metrology. In: Yamamoto, Y., Semba, K. (eds) Principles and Methods of Quantum Information Technologies. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 911. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55756-2_5

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