A perspective on the future of transportable optical lattice clocks

Abstract

The unprecedented stability and accuracy of optical atomic clocks extend their role not only in frequency metrology but also in fundamental physics and geodesy. In particular, excellent stability of optical lattice clocks accessing a fractional uncertainty of [Formula: see text] in less than an hour opens a new avenue for chronometric leveling, which resolves a height difference of one cm in a short averaging time. However, for field use of such clocks, there remains a challenge in developing a transportable system that can operate outside the laboratory. In this Perspective, we describe transportable optical lattice clocks and discuss their future applications to chronometric leveling.