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Shimadzu Review 81[1・2] (2024)
Abstract
An optical lattice clock is highly precise clock that can be 100 to 1000 times more accurate than cesium atomic clocks, which currently serve as the standard for the definition of the second. The optical lattice clock is a major
candidate for the next generation definition of the second. This highly precise clock can not only be used to measure time, but also as a tool for measuring physical quantities such as altitude difference based on precise time measurements and relativistic effects. Consequently, the development of transportable optical lattice clocks that can be used outside laboratories is required. We have developed a prototype of a transportable strontium optical lattice clock. We reduced the sizes of key components to achieve a system volume of 250 L and improved the ease of assembly and maintenance of the clock by splitting optics systems and control systems into modular units separated by function. We also improved the stability of the transfer cavity, providing a clock laser stability of 1.2 × 10 10-15 (averaging time of 1 The developed prototype achieves operation of the optical lattice clock in the field and is also expected to have applications in areas that require long long-term stability, such as standard time and communications.
1Advanced Analysis Unit, Technology Research Laboratory, Shimadzu Corporation, Kyoto, Japan
2Material & Infrastructure Solution Unit, Solutions Center of Excellence, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division, Shimadzu Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
3Quantum Metrology Laboratory, RIKEN, Saitama, Japan
4Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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