Strategies for reducing the light shift in atomic clocks

TL;DR

This paper proposes strategies to minimize light-induced frequency shifts in optical lattice atomic clocks, aiming to enhance their precision to below 10^-18 by controlling nonlinear and higher-order light effects.

Contribution

It introduces theoretical and numerical methods to reduce lattice-induced shifts in Sr, Yb, and Hg clocks, enabling systematic uncertainties below 10^-18.

Findings

Strategies effectively reduce light shifts in atomic clocks.

Numerical demonstrations show potential for sub-10^-18 accuracy.

Applicable to Sr, Yb, and Hg optical lattice clocks.

Abstract

Recent progress in optical lattice clocks requires unprecedented precision in controlling systematic uncertainties at $10^{-18}$ level. Tuning of nonlinear light shifts is shown to reduce lattice-induced clock shift for wide range of lattice intensity. Based on theoretical multipolar, nonlinear, anharmonic and higher-order light shifts, we numerically demonstrate possible strategies for Sr, Yb, and Hg clocks to achieve lattice-induced systematic uncertainty below $1\times 10^{-18}$.