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Ultrastable Free-Space Laser Links for a Global Network of Optical Atomic Clocks

D. R. Gozzard, L. A. Howard, B. P. Dix-Matthews, S. F. E. Karpathakis, C. T. Gravestock, and S. W. Schediwy
Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 020801 – Published 14 January 2022
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Abstract

A global network of optical atomic clocks will enable unprecedented measurement precision in fields including tests of fundamental physics, dark matter searches, geodesy, and navigation. Free-space laser links through the turbulent atmosphere are needed to fully exploit this global network, by enabling comparisons to airborne and spaceborne clocks. We demonstrate frequency transfer over a 2.4 km atmospheric link with turbulence comparable to that of a ground-to-space link, achieving a fractional frequency stability of 6.1×1021 in 300 s of integration time. We also show that clock comparison between ground and low Earth orbit will be limited by the stability of the clocks themselves after only a few seconds of integration. This significantly advances the technologies needed to realize a global timescale network of optical atomic clocks.

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  • Received 24 June 2021
  • Accepted 2 December 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.020801

© 2022 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

General Physics

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Laser Propagating through Air Sets Stability Record

Published 14 January 2022

An optical link for communication between distant atomic clocks is 100 times more stable than previous links and could enable new precision tests of general relativity.

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Authors & Affiliations

D. R. Gozzard1,2,*, L. A. Howard1, B. P. Dix-Matthews1,2, S. F. E. Karpathakis1, C. T. Gravestock1, and S. W. Schediwy1,2

  • 1International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, ICRAR M468, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley 6009, Australia
  • 2Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, Department of Physics, School of Physics, Mathematics & Computing, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley 6009, Australia

  • *david.gozzard@uwa.edu.au

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Vol. 128, Iss. 2 — 14 January 2022

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