Quantum Time Transfer (IMAGE)
Caption
Synchronizing clocks across the planet with femtosecond accuracy could become reality by applying a laser frequency comb technique recently developed at NIST. The team tested their technique by beaming frequency comb pulses between mountains on two islands in Hawai’i, demonstrating the fidelity necessary to link clocks via satellite even if the signal is very weak. The team’s method, which could make synchronization of distant clocks 10,000 times more accurate than we can currently achieve, might contribute to testing general relativity, redefining the second to an optical standard, and future searches for dark matter.
Credit
B. Hayes / NIST
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
License
Public Domain