2005/06/01 by Jacques Vanier, Claude Audoin, C. Audoin · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Quantum optics and atomic interactions
paper · doi:10.1088/0026-1394/42/3/s05
crossref issued 2005/06/01 · crossref published 2005/06/01 · crossref published-print 2005/06/01 · openalex publication_date 2005/06/01 · crossref published-online 2005/06/07 · crossref created 2005/06/08 · crossref deposited 2020/04/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
The caesium beam frequency standard using the separated oscillatory field technique proposed by Ramsey in 1950 has seen intensive development over the last fifty years. Its practical implementation as a primary time standard made possible the realization of the second with a precision better than that obtained by means of astronomical measurements and provided the basis for its redefinition in terms of atomic properties in 1967. This paper describes the basic principles underlying the operation of such atomic standards, reviews the progress made during the last fifty years since its invention, and provides an update on the state-of-the-art accuracy and frequency stability achieved today in this field.