Optical Clocks in Space

2006/08/17 by S. Schiller, Schiller, S., A. Nevsky +33
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.gr-qc/0608081

Abstract

The performance of optical clocks has strongly progressed in recent years, and accuracies and instabilities of 1 part in 10¹8 are expected in the near future. The operation of optical clocks in space provides new scientific and technological opportunities. In particular, an earth-orbiting satellite containing an ensemble of optical clocks would allow a precision measurement of the gravitational redshift, navigation with improved precision, mapping of the earth's gravitational potential by relativistic geodesy, and comparisons between ground clocks.

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