Quantum Time Measurement: Scientists Develop Clock Without a Starting Point Using Rydberg Atoms

Quantum Time Measurement: A Clock Without a 'Start'

Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have developed a novel method for measuring time in the quantum realm. This innovative approach, published in Physical Review Research in 2022, eliminates the need for a precise starting point, overcoming a key limitation of traditional clocks.

The technique utilizes the wave-like nature of Rydberg states. Rydberg atoms, which have electrons boosted to high energy levels by lasers, create unique interference patterns. These patterns serve as temporal "fingerprints," with each pattern representing the time elapsed between interacting wave packets.

This allows for measuring events as short as 1.7 x 10

-12

seconds without needing a defined beginning or end. According to physicist Marta Berholts from Uppsala University, this method's advantage is that you don't have to start the clock; you simply observe the interference structure and determine how much time has passed.

This quantum time-stamping method has the potential to revolutionize the study of ultrafast quantum phenomena. It can be combined with other spectroscopic techniques to measure events that are difficult to capture using traditional methods. Future experiments could expand this technique by using different types of atoms or adjusting the energy of the laser pulses, enabling measurements across wider time ranges and under various conditions.