Researchers at NIST are developing optical lattices, which use intersecting laser beams to trap atoms in orderly patterns. These lattices are used in next-generation atomic clocks based on ytterbium and strontium atoms, which operate at optical frequencies for higher precision timekeeping. Optical lattices also serve as flexible quantum simulation platforms for studying complex quantum processes and may provide a foundation for future quantum computers.
The key technical points are:
– Optical lattices are formed by intersecting laser beams creating standing waves
– Lattice spacing is half the laser wavelength, adjustable by changing the angle or wavelength
– Atoms are trapped in peaks or valleys of the light intensity pattern
– Magnetic or electric fields can be used in conjunction with optical lattices for additional control
– Optical lattices enable precise measurements of atomic motion and quantum interactions
NIST researchers have been working on optical lattice clocks since the early 2000s, with the first lattice clock based on strontium atoms reported in 2006. Today’s optical clocks are so precise that a new international definition of the second using an optical transition frequency is expected in the near future. The technology also shows promise for quantum simulations and quantum computing applications.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/physics/what-are-optical-lattices
Keywords: Lattice, Clocks, Quantum, Atoms, Interactions
