Chip-scale Optical Atomic Clock

Introduction

Optical atomic clocks are at the heart of modern technology, playing a crucial role in various applications such as time-keeping, navigation, and global positioning systems.

Project Overview

This project will develop the world’s first all-optical atomic clock that is chip-scale. It will leverage recent advances in:

• Kerr soliton micro-comb technology
• Ps mode-locked lasers that are heterogeneously integrated on a chip
• Novel on-chip frequency doublers with vastly improved efficiency

Technical Innovation

Exploiting the Rb85 two-photon transition enables the project to obtain a clock signal that is vastly improved compared to today’s radio frequency transition-based clocks.

Potential Impact

This clock has the potential to revolutionize timekeeping in various applications, including:

1. Mobile
2. Airborne
3. Space applications

It can also be utilized in future GPS networks, such as Galileo.

Broader Applications

Moreover, the underlying clockwork—a chip-scale comb—can have applications ranging from distance measurements to time and frequency metrology.

Consortium Collaboration

This consortium brings together the leading groups in Europe in the domain of frequency combs, micro-comb technology, and photonic chip-scale laser integration.