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Self-Emergent Microcombs Flip Switch for Precision Timekeeping

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GLASGOW, Scotland, Aug. 16, 2022 — Researchers from the universities of Strathclyde, Loughborough, and Sussex have demonstrated how optical clocks can be reliably switched on and made to keep running. The collaborators’ work resolves what had emerged as a persistent problem in the development of ultraprecise optical clocks and, specifically, the microcombs on which they rely to move from an “off” state to an “on” state. The collaborators’ work used a fiber laser to realize a reliable, self-starting oscillation of microcavity solitons. The solitons are naturally robust to perturbations,...Read full article

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    Published: August 2022
    Glossary
    microcomb
    A microcomb, short for microresonator frequency comb, is a novel photonic device that generates a precise series of evenly spaced optical frequencies, akin to the teeth of a comb, across a broad spectrum of wavelengths. It operates based on the phenomenon of Kerr frequency comb generation, which occurs in certain nonlinear optical resonators. Microcombs are typically fabricated from high-quality optical materials, such as silicon nitride or silicon dioxide, and have dimensions on the order of...
    atomic clock
    An atomic clock is a highly precise timekeeping device that uses the vibrations or oscillations of atoms as a reference for measuring time. The most common type of atomic clock uses the vibrations of atoms, typically cesium or rubidium atoms, to define the length of a second. The principle behind atomic clocks is based on the fundamental properties of atoms, which oscillate at extremely stable and predictable frequencies. The primary concept employed in atomic clocks is the phenomenon of...
    optical clock
    An optical clock is a highly precise and advanced timekeeping device that relies on the oscillations of electromagnetic radiation in the optical or ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike traditional atomic clocks, which use microwave frequencies, optical clocks operate at much higher frequencies, typically involving transitions in atoms or ions at optical wavelengths. Optical clocks have the potential to provide unprecedented accuracy and stability in timekeeping. Key points...
    quantum
    The term quantum refers to the fundamental unit or discrete amount of a physical quantity involved in interactions at the atomic and subatomic scales. It originates from quantum theory, a branch of physics that emerged in the early 20th century to explain phenomena observed on very small scales, where classical physics fails to provide accurate explanations. In the context of quantum theory, several key concepts are associated with the term quantum: Quantum mechanics: This is the branch of...
    Research & TechnologyOpticsmicrocombatomic clockoptical clockLasersnavigationGPStelecommunicationUniversity of SussexLoughborough UniversityUniversity of StrathclydeEmergent Photonic Research CentrequantumCPI TMD TechnologiesCity University of Hong KongXi’an Institute of Optics and Precision MechanicsSwinburne University of TechnologyINRS-EMTEuropeAsia-Pacificsolitons

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