Microwave Frequency Standards: Testing Fundamental Physics and Developing New Devices

高频稳定振荡器可以用作频率或定时标准（时钟），并具有商业应用以及测试基本物理原理的应用。该项目将与法国航天局（CNES）资助的法国一些最好的研究机构合作，继续开发新的频率标准。随着国际空间站和新型原子钟的出现，物理界正在着手一项利用太空微重力环境的实验计划。结合新的改进的计时，将有可能以前所未有的灵敏度对广义相对论和狭义相对论进行新的实验测试，对精细结构常数的漂移进行测试，并对光速的首选方向进行测试。

Highly frequency stable oscillators may be used as frequency or timing standards (clocks) and have commercial application as well as application of testing fundamental physical principles. This project is to continue the development of novel frequency standards in collaboration with some of the best research institutes in France funded by the French Space Agency (CNES). With the advent of the International Space Station and new atomic clocks, the physics community is embarking on an experimental program that will make use of the microgravity environment of space. Combined with the new improved timing it will be possible to perform new experimental tests of general and special relativity, tests for drifts in the fine structure constant and tests for a preferred direction of the speed of light at unprecedented sensitivity.