NIST researchers develop chip-based optical frequency comb for atomic clocks

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Joint Quantum Institute have demonstrated a chip-based optical frequency comb that utilizes two lasers to generate precise light signals. This innovation eliminates the need for the bulky, power-hungry external stabilization equipment typically required by conventional systems, which has previously limited optical atomic clocks to laboratory settings.

The device employs a microscopic ring-shaped structure known as a microresonator. By routing light from two lasers into the same optical cavity, the researchers can produce a series of evenly spaced frequencies that act as a high-precision ruler for light. This approach allows for the generation of stable, high-quality signals on a single semiconductor chip.

This advancement is a significant step toward the miniaturization of optical atomic clocks. Such compact devices could eventually provide highly accurate timing and navigation for autonomous vehicles, drones, and submarines, particularly in environments where GPS signals are unavailable or subject to jamming.