A Review of Contemporary Atomic Frequency Standards

Understand

Atomic frequency standards are used to generate accurate and precise time and frequency, enabling many communications, synchronization, and navigation systems in modern life.

• GPS and other satellite navigation systems, voice and data telecommunications, and timestamping of financial transactions all rely on precise time and frequency enabled by atomic frequency standards.
• This review provides a snapshot and outlook of contemporary atomic frequency standards and the applications they enable.
• We provide a concise summary of the performance and physics of operation of current and future atomic frequency standards.