IOTA: Compact Ion Clock for Precision Timing Applications

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Atomic clocks have a wide range of applications from communication, navigation to trading and scientific research. Systems based on trapped atomic ions promise significantly improved accuracy compared to currently commercially available systems. Accuracies of 10-18 have been demonstrated with such systems in research labs. However, due to their complexity, power consumption and environmental requirements, these systems are far from portable. To generate an electronic reference signal optical atomic clocks contain an optical reference, a laser stabilised to an optical transition within an atomic species, and an optical frequency comb. The two research groups at the University of Sussex are developing demonstrators for a portable atomic reference system based on trapped calcium ions and a micro-comb system. This project aims to address two technological challenges within the two atomic clock subsystems. To improve the systems' compactness, robustness and weight, the two research groups join forces with MSquared Lasers, a leading company in optical technology development. In addition, the commercial exploitation of the atomic clock system will be explored with focus on system integrators.