DocumentCode :
2177135
Title :
A Passion for Precision
Author :
Hänsch, Theodor W.
Author_Institution :
Ludwig-Maximilians-Univ., Munich
fYear :
2007
fDate :
17-22 June 2007
Firstpage :
1
Lastpage :
1
Abstract :
Summary form only given. Optical frequency combs from mode-locked femtosecond lasers can link optical and microwave frequencies in a single step, and they provide the long missing clockwork for optical atomic clocks. By extending the limits of time and frequency metrology, they enable new tests of fundamental physics laws. Precise comparisons of optical resonance frequencies of atoms, ions or molecules with each other or with the microwave frequency of a cesium atomic clock are establishing sensitive limits for possible slow variations of fundamental constants. Optical high harmonic generation is extending frequency comb techniques into the extreme ultraviolet, opening a new spectral territory to precision laser spectroscopy. Frequency comb techniques are also providing a key to attosecond science by offering control of the electric field of ultrafast laser pulses.
Keywords :
atomic clocks; frequency standards; high-speed optical techniques; laser mode locking; optical harmonic generation; time measurement; attosecond science; cesium atomic clock; extreme ultraviolet frequency; femtosecond lasers; frequency metrology; measurement precision; microwave frequency; mode-locked lasers; optical atomic clocks; optical frequency combs; optical high harmonic generation; optical resonance frequencies; precision laser spectroscopy; time metrology; ultrafast laser pulses; Atom optics; Atomic clocks; Frequency; Laser theory; Masers; Nonlinear optics; Optical harmonic generation; Optical sensors; Particle beam optics; Ultrafast optics;
fLanguage :
English
Publisher :
ieee
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics, 2007 and the International Quantum Electronics Conference. CLEOE-IQEC 2007. European Conference on
Conference_Location :
Munich
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-0931-0
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-0931-0
Type :
conf
DOI :
10.1109/CLEOE-IQEC.2007.4387038
Filename :
4387038
Link To Document :
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