Researchers at NIST have developed a new statistical framework to standardize how ultra-precise optical atomic clocks are compared. This protocol uses an advanced Bayesian modeling approach to identify and account for unexpected day-to-day measurement variations that previously capped comparison accuracy at a level unchanged for over ten years. Led by NIST scientists with support from its Statistical Engineering Division, the method establishes a more reliable benchmarking process for clock networks and has been peer-reviewed in *Nature*.
The framework is currently validated through laboratory testing, successfully pushing measurement precision below one part in a quintillion (8×10⁻¹⁸), an order of magnitude better than previous limits. By providing a clear way to separate actual clock signals from random environmental noise, the approach removes a major bottleneck in building larger clock networks. While no official rollout schedule has been set, the technology serves as immediate groundwork for future portable and remote quantum clock systems. These networks are expected to enhance global timekeeping, enable highly accurate Earth surface mapping, and support advanced fundamental physics experiments in the near-to-mid term.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/advancing-statistical-methods-next-generation-clock-networks
Keywords: optical clocks, frequency ratio measurements, relativistic geodesy
