Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Passion for precision.

Theodor W Hänsch1

  • 1Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Garching, and Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany. t.w.haensch@physik.uni-muenchen.de

Chemphyschem : a European Journal of Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry
|April 26, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Optical frequency combs, a clockwork for atomic clocks, enable precise measurements linking optical and microwave frequencies. These advancements push the boundaries of timekeeping and fundamental physics tests.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sub-part-per-trillion test of the Standard Model with atomic hydrogen.

Nature·2026
Same author

Near-ultraviolet photon-counting dual-comb spectroscopy.

Nature·2024
Same author

Improved active fiber-based retroreflector with intensity stabilization and a polarization monitor for the near UV: erratum.

Optics express·2022
Same author

Time-resolved dual-comb spectroscopy with a single electro-optic modulator.

Optics letters·2021
Same author

Improved active fiber-based retroreflector with intensity stabilization and a polarization monitor for the near UV.

Optics express·2021
Same author

Publisher Correction: Measuring the α-particle charge radius with muonic helium-4 ions.

Nature·2021

Area of Science:

  • * Physics
  • * Metrology
  • * Spectroscopy

Background:

  • * Optical frequency combs from mode-locked femtosecond lasers have transformed frequency measurement.
  • * They bridge optical and microwave frequencies and serve as the clockwork for optical atomic clocks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To extend the limits of time and frequency metrology.
  • * To enable new tests of fundamental physics laws.
  • * To achieve higher resolution and accuracy in optical spectroscopy.

Main Methods:

  • * Utilizing optical frequency combs for precise comparisons of atomic resonance frequencies.
  • * Employing optical high harmonic generation to extend comb techniques into the extreme ultraviolet.
  • * Developing new instruments and techniques for precision laser spectroscopy.

Main Results:

  • * Established sensitive limits for slow variations of fundamental constants through precise atomic frequency comparisons.
  • * Extended frequency comb techniques into the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) for new spectroscopic applications.
  • * Enabled control of the electric field of ultrafast laser pulses for attosecond science.

Conclusions:

  • * Optical frequency combs are pivotal for advancing time and frequency metrology.
  • * These techniques facilitate novel tests of fundamental physics and enhance spectroscopic accuracy.
  • * Ongoing research aims for higher resolution and measurement accuracy, particularly in hydrogen atom spectroscopy.

Related Experiment Videos