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Demonstration of a mobile optical clock ensemble at sea

Author

Listed:
  • A. P. Hilton

    (University of Adelaide)

  • R. F. Offer

    (University of Adelaide)

  • E. Klantsataya

    (University of Adelaide)

  • S. K. Scholten

    (University of Adelaide)

  • N. Bourbeau Hébert

    (University of Adelaide)

  • C. J. Billington

    (University of Adelaide)

  • C. Locke

    (University of Adelaide)

  • C. Perrella

    (University of Adelaide)

  • M. Nelligan

    (University of Adelaide)

  • J. W. Allison

    (University of Adelaide)

  • B. White

    (University of Adelaide)

  • E. Ahern

    (University of Adelaide)

  • K. W. Martin

    (Blue Halo 1300 Britt Street)

  • R. Beard

    (Blue Halo 1300 Britt Street)

  • J. D. Elgin

    (Space Vehicles Directorate, Quantum Sensing and Timing, 3550 Aberdeen Ave. SE)

  • B. M. Sparkes

    (Defence Science and Technology Group)

  • A. N. Luiten

    (University of Adelaide)

Abstract

Atomic clocks are at the leading edge of accuracy and precision and are essential for synchronisation of distributed critical infrastructure, position, navigation and timing, and scientific applications. There has been significant improvements in the performance of atomic clocks with the shift from microwave to optical frequency transitions. However, this performance increase has come at the cost of size, complexity and fragility, which has confined optical clocks to laboratories. Here we report on a recent international collaboration where three emerging optical clocks, each based on different operating principles, were trialled at sea. These clocks demonstrated world-class performance and reliability by providing stable frequency outputs in optical, microwave and radio-frequency domains over three weeks of unsupervised naval operation.

Suggested Citation

  • A. P. Hilton & R. F. Offer & E. Klantsataya & S. K. Scholten & N. Bourbeau Hébert & C. J. Billington & C. Locke & C. Perrella & M. Nelligan & J. W. Allison & B. White & E. Ahern & K. W. Martin & R. Be, 2025. "Demonstration of a mobile optical clock ensemble at sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61140-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61140-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. W. F. McGrew & X. Zhang & R. J. Fasano & S. A. Schäffer & K. Beloy & D. Nicolodi & R. C. Brown & N. Hinkley & G. Milani & M. Schioppo & T. H. Yoon & A. D. Ludlow, 2018. "Atomic clock performance enabling geodesy below the centimetre level," Nature, Nature, vol. 564(7734), pages 87-90, December.
    2. Christian Sanner & Nils Huntemann & Richard Lange & Christian Tamm & Ekkehard Peik & Marianna S. Safronova & Sergey G. Porsev, 2019. "Optical clock comparison for Lorentz symmetry testing," Nature, Nature, vol. 567(7747), pages 204-208, March.
    3. E. A. Burt & J. D. Prestage & R. L. Tjoelker & D. G. Enzer & D. Kuang & D. W. Murphy & D. E. Robison & J. M. Seubert & R. T. Wang & T. A. Ely, 2021. "Demonstration of a trapped-ion atomic clock in space," Nature, Nature, vol. 595(7865), pages 43-47, July.
    4. Jonathan D. Roslund & Arman Cingöz & William D. Lunden & Guthrie B. Partridge & Abijith S. Kowligy & Frank Roller & Daniel B. Sheredy & Gunnar E. Skulason & Joe P. Song & Jamil R. Abo-Shaeer & Martin , 2024. "Optical clocks at sea," Nature, Nature, vol. 628(8009), pages 736-740, April.
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