The Quantum Beat

Beschreibung

One of the indicators of the level of technological development of a society has been, throughout history, the precision of clocks it was able to build. This book examines the physical principles underlying the workings of clocks--from the earliest mechanical clocks to the present-day sophisticated clocks based on the properties of individual atoms. Intended for non-specialists with some knowledge of physics or engineering,the book treats the material in a broad intuitive manner, with a minimum of mathematical formalism. The presentation covers a broad range of salient topics relevant to the measurement of frequency and time intervals. The main focus is on electronic time-keeping: clocks based on quartz crystal oscillators and, at greater length, atomic clocks based on quantum resonance in rubidium, cesium, and hydrogen atoms, and, more recently, mercury ions. The book treats the revolutionary changes that the optical laser has wrought on atomic standards through laser cooling and optical pumping, and it discusses the application of these clocks to global navigation--in particular Loran-C and the Global Positioning System. The book also touches on such topics as atomic resonance line shape, the relativistic Doppler effect and general notions of time, including the relativity of future and past, the clock paradox, the Sagnac effect and finally, time reversal symmetry.
Intended for non-specialists Treats the material in a broad intuitive manner Covers a wide range of relevant topics Focuses on electronic time keeping Examines the revolutionary changes made possible by laser cooling and optical pumping Discusses the application to global navigation - particular GPS and Loran- Unique, in that no other books cover the physics of atomic clocks

While not a history of atomic clocks, this work reviews the principles underlying quantum-based atomic clocks, with introductory chapters placing them in context with the development of mechanical clocks and the introduction of electronic time-keeping as embodied in quartz-controlled clocks. The book details design principles of the rubidium, cesium, hydrogen maser, and mercury ion standards; changes enabled by the advent of the laser; and the time-based global navigation systems, Loran-C and the Global Positioning System. Also discussed are noise, resonance line shape, the relativistic Doppler effect and more general notions of time relevant to synchronization of remote clocks, and time reversal symmetry. The new edition includes extraordinary recent developments, culminating in clocks based on quantum resonance at optical frequency in individual ions confined in miniature electromagnetic traps. Intended for non-specialists with some knowledge of physics or engineering, The Quantum Beat explores the subject with a minimum of mathematical formalism.

Autor*in

Fouad G. Major

Themen in »The Quantum Beat«

Applications Atomic Atomic Clocks Beat Major cesium fountain forbidden transitions frequency standards horology hydrogen maser hyperfine structure ion resonance ion trap laser cooling lasers

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From the reviews of the second edition:

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