**HQOC Special Seminar**
***Today at 2:00 PM in Lyman 425***
Travis Nicholson, University of Colorado, JILA
The Sr Optical Lattice Clocks at JILA - A new record in atomic clock performance
The exquisite control exhibited over quantum states of individual particles has
revolutionized the field of precision measurement, as exemplified by highly accurate
atomic clocks. Optical clocks have been the most accurate frequency standards for the
better part
of a decade, surpassing even the cesium microwave fountains upon which the SI second is
based. Two classes of optical clocks have outperformed cesium: singleion clocks and
optical lattice clocks. Historically ion clocks have always been more accurate, and the
precision of ion clocks and lattice clocks has been comparable.
For years the open question in the field of optical clocks has been whether lattice clocks
can overcome various systematic effects and become more accurate than ion clocks. In this
presentation I report the first lattice clock that has surpassed ion clocks in both
precision and accuracy. These measurements represent a tenfold improvement in precision
and a factor of 20 improvement in accuracy over the previous best lattice clock results.
With the best reported accuracy and precision, lattice clocks are now a strong candidate
as a primary frequency standard. This work paves the way for a better realization of SI
units, the development of more sophisticated quantum sensors, and precision tests of the
fundamental laws of nature.
Refreshments will be served
Joan Hamilton
Faculty Assistant to Profs. Greiner and Lukin
HQOC Laboratory Administrator
HUCTW Local Union Representative
Harvard University
Department of Physics
17 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
P: (617) 496-2544
F: (617) 496-2545
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