Sr Lattice Clock at 1 × 10 ^–16 Fractional Uncertainty by Remote Optical Evaluation with a Ca Clock

TLDR

Optical atomic clocks offer extreme precision due to their high operating frequencies, yet rigorous evaluation requires direct comparisons between clocks. A remote comparison over kilometer‑scale urban distances enabled evaluation of a strontium lattice clock at 1 × 10⁻¹⁶ fractional uncertainty, surpassing cesium standards, while revealing density‑dependent effects and blackbody radiation shifts as current limitations.

Abstract

Optical atomic clocks promise timekeeping at the highest precision and accuracy, owing to their high operating frequencies. Rigorous evaluations of these clocks require direct comparisons between them. We have realized a high-performance remote comparison of optical clocks over kilometer-scale urban distances, a key step for development, dissemination, and application of these optical standards. Through this remote comparison and a proper design of lattice-confined neutral atoms for clock operation, we evaluate the uncertainty of a strontium (Sr) optical lattice clock at the 1 × 10 –16 fractional level, surpassing the current best evaluations of cesium (Cs) primary standards. We also report on the observation of density-dependent effects in the spin-polarized fermionic sample and discuss the current limiting effect of blackbody radiation–induced frequency shifts.