Physics

Oxford physicists create network of quantum-entangled atomic clocks

Oxford physicists have created the first quantum network of entangled atomic clocks
Oxford physicists have created the first quantum network of entangled atomic clocks

Physicists at the University of Oxford have successfully linked two atomic clocks through quantum entanglement for the first time. The feat can help make these clocks so precise that they begin to approach the fundamental limit of precision set by quantum mechanics.

Atomic clocks keep time by measuring the vibration patterns of atoms, which are incredibly stable and predictable. For instance, a cesium-133 atom will oscillate exactly 9,192,631,770 times per second, and this number has been used to officially define the second since 1967, setting national and international standards for timekeeping.

But there’s always room for improvement. Optical atomic clocks, which use visible light and atoms like ytterbium, have the potential to surpass cesium atomic clocks, and now Oxford physicists have demonstrated how to make them even more precise. Doing so requires tapping into a spooky quantum phenomenon called quantum entanglement.

Particles can become so entwined with each other that measuring or changing one will instantly affect its partner, no matter how far apart they may be. In theory, the two particles could be at opposite sides of the universe and still affect each other instantaneously. The idea famously unnerved Einstein himself, but it has been experimentally confirmed for decades.

MIT physicists have previously tapped into quantum entanglement to improve the accuracy of atomic clocks by entangling a cloud of atoms within a single device. Now, the Oxford team has entangled two separate atomic clocks with each other, from across the room.

Each of the atomic clocks contained a single strontium ion. A laser beam is split in two, then each beam is modulated in exactly the same way before being sent into each of the atomic clocks to strike the strontium ions. This generates a quantum entanglement link between the ions, even though they’re 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.

The end result is the first quantum network of entangled atomic clocks, which could be used to measure time more precisely than ever. The researchers reduced the uncertainty in the measurements by a factor of two.

In fact, the team says entangled atomic clock networks could surpass the Standard Quantum Limit (SQL), which arises as a result of random quantum fluctuations that messes with measurements. Beyond that, the precision could start to approach the Heisenberg Limit, a hard line set by the very laws of quantum physics.

However, this is still out of reach with the specific setup used, which was designed for quantum computing experiments. A specialized network of quantum entangled atomic clocks could begin to probe major physics puzzles like fundamental constants and even dark matter, the team says.

“While our result is very much a proof-of-principle, and the absolute precision we achieve is a few orders of magnitude below the state of the art, we hope that the techniques shown here might someday improve state-of the art systems,’ said Dr Raghavendra Srinivas, an author of the study. “At some point, entanglement will be required as it provides a path to the ultimate precision allowed by quantum theory.”

The research was published in the journal Nature.

Source: University of Oxford

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7 comments
anthony88
Instantaneous and at vast distances - this means a faster-than-light-speed communications device is possible. No more waiting several minutes to determine if a probe has touched down on Mars. Even more exciting, communication with other civilisations across the universe is coming. We just need to know what channel they are using.
Brian M
Whenever I hear of quantum entanglement, start to doubt all we know about physics, as nothing makes sense anymore.
It's one of the few things I have in common with Einstein (sadly) is that I think this is spooky to!

We have to be missing something very fundamental here!
rpark
...all protons are connected, forming the vacuum milieu (the field), or what Einstein euphemistically called the 'space-time fabric.'
CAVUMark
Excellent news! Hoping this will help lower the price of gasoline.
Pupp1
Someone please explain if you can, since I am not that knowledgeable about entanglement.

While it would seem to allow for instant communication, as described in the article, I have never seen a report of anyone attempting it. Furthermore, all the explanations I have read about entanglement, only say that one can MEASURE a property of one of the entangled pair, and then the other of the pair assumes the opposite state.

The question is, is it possible to force a condition in one entangled particle, then that condition can be inferred by observing the other atom in the pair. Then communication is possible.

Or an alternative approach, is if you can detect when the pair's state becomes set. If so, then you send a series of particles, and then when used, that series is treated like a RS232 Serial communication signal.

One would need to send the 2nd of the pair to the 2nd location in advance. And then either immediately use it, or hold it there till needed.
TpPa
it is one of those things either you get right & many good things become from it or the people in the labs just start to disappear followed by the building & the next, etc.. The head honcho's a thousand miles away say oops, and get in their underground bunkers hoping the phenomena doesn't go beneath the surface of the earth.
Phillip Jenkins
With two atomic clocks quantum entangled, I wonder if this could be a good way to detect gravity waves if the two clocks are separated by a large distance. A fluctuation in time between them could represent a gravity wave passing by.