Optical Frequency Standards

Optical frequency standards are highly precise timekeeping systems that use the frequency of light waves, typically from lasers and atomic transitions, to define the second. Unlike traditional atomic clocks that rely on microwave signals, optical standards operate at much higher frequencies, allowing for greater accuracy and stability. By precisely measuring the consistent vibrations of atoms or molecules when they absorb or emit light, these standards serve as ultra-precise references for scientific research, navigation, and technology, helping improve our measurement of time and frequency with extraordinary precision.