Hydrogen optical clock

Any atomic or molecular transition frequency is expressed through a dimensionless theoretical expression that is multiplied with the Rydberg constant to convert to the SI units of Hz. For most atoms or molecules the theoretical expression is not very accurate. However, for hydrogen or hydrogen-like systems, this expression can be extremely accurate. This opens the possibility to redefine the SI second by fixing the value of the Rydberg constant removing the last object from the SI system, the Cs atom. The best realization of this second would then be an atomic clock based on an optical transition in atomic hydrogen.

Trapping and laser cooling of atomic hydrogen has been a difficult task that has not yet been achieved except with cryogenic magnetic traps. These traps give rise to large Zeeman shifts due to the high magnetic fields. Even though there are tricks to reduce these shifts, precision measurements are difficult under these conditions. Operating such a trap requires a large and complex setup and thus rules out a practical atomic clock.

We are building a trap for atomic hydrogen that is not more complex than a usual optical atomic clock. It is based on an optical dipole trap that is operated at the magic wavelength similar to the most accurate optical clocks. We propose a new method to load such a trap with a two-photon transition that avoids the need for a Lyman alpha laser (121 nm). Since the 1S-2S clock transition, with a line width of 1.3 Hz, can be driven in a Doppler-free manner with two photons, it is not required to cool the hydrogen atoms to a very low temperature. Our compact setup could be operated as a clock representing a computable time scale as well as to improve spectroscopic data to test Quantum Electrodynamics. Moreover, such a setup could be loaded with anti-hydrogen from a magnetic trap to significantly improve the measurement accuracy.

Current Members

Omer Amit, Thomas Udem

If you are considering joining our team as a Bachelor, Master or PhD student, or as a Postdoc, please email to: Thomas Udem

This project is part of part of the Max Planck-RIKEN-PTB Center for Time, Constants and Fundamental Symmetries.