A quantum network of entangled optical atomic clocks

التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
العنوان: A quantum network of entangled optical atomic clocks
المؤلفون: Nichol, B. C., Srinivas, R., Nadlinger, D. P., Drmota, P., Main, D., Araneda, G., Ballance, C. J., Lucas, D. M.
سنة النشر: 2021
المجموعة: Physics (Other)
Quantum Physics
مصطلحات موضوعية: Physics - Atomic Physics, Quantum Physics
الوصف: Optical atomic clocks are our most precise tools to measure time and frequency. They enable precision frequency comparisons between atoms in separate locations to probe the space-time variation of fundamental constants, the properties of dark matter, and for geodesy. Measurements on independent systems are limited by the standard quantum limit (SQL); measurements on entangled systems, in contrast, can surpass the SQL to reach the ultimate precision allowed by quantum theory - the so-called Heisenberg limit. While local entangling operations have been used to demonstrate this enhancement at microscopic distances, frequency comparisons between remote atomic clocks require rapid high-fidelity entanglement between separate systems that have no intrinsic interactions. We demonstrate the first quantum network of entangled optical clocks using two $^{88}$Sr$^+$ ions separated by a macroscopic distance (2 m), that are entangled using a photonic link. We characterise the entanglement enhancement for frequency comparisons between the ions. We find that entanglement reduces the measurement uncertainty by a factor close to $\sqrt{2}$, as predicted for the Heisenberg limit, thus halving the number of measurements required to reach a given precision. Practically, today's optical clocks are typically limited by laser dephasing; in this regime, we find that using entangled clocks confers an even greater benefit, yielding a factor 4 reduction in the number of measurements compared to conventional correlation spectroscopy techniques. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate this enhancement for measuring a frequency shift applied to one of the clocks. Our results show that quantum networks have now attained sufficient maturity for enhanced metrology. This two-node network could be extended to additional nodes, to other species of trapped particles, or to larger entangled systems via local operations.
نوع الوثيقة: Working Paper
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05088-z
الوصول الحر: http://arxiv.org/abs/2111.10336Test
رقم الانضمام: edsarx.2111.10336
قاعدة البيانات: arXiv