An optical lattice clock: toward precision frequency measurement over 18 digits

Abstract

Recent progress in the phase-coherent link between optical and radio frequencies has allowed the measurement of optical frequencies with an unprecedented high precision that is limited by the realization of the SI second. This has lead to the search for novel atom clocks that can realize the second with a higher accuracy. We propose an “optical lattice clock” scheme, which allows measuring optical frequency with 10^-18 uncertainty for 1s. We discuss that carefully designed perturbations on interrogated atoms, which have been believed to be detrimental to atom clocks, can significantly enhance the precision of atom clocks.