Zero-Dead-Time Operation of Interleaved Atomic Clocks

Abstract

We demonstrate a zero-dead-time operation of atomic clocks. This clock reduces sensitivity to local oscillator noise, integrating as nearly $1/\ensuremath{\tau}$ whereas a clock with dead time integrates as $1/{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{1/2}$ under identical conditions. We contend that a similar scheme may be applied to improve the stability of optical clocks.