Video 3. How an atomic clock works, and its use in the global positioning system (GPS) by EngineerGuy (2012) Source. Shows how conceptually an atomic clock is based on a feedback loop of two hyperfine structure states of caesium atoms (non-radioactive caesium-133 as clarified by the Wikipedia page). Like a quartz clock, it also relies on the piezoelectricity of quartz, but unlike the quartz clock, the quartz is not shaped like a tuning fork, and has a much larger resonating frequency of about 7 MHz. The feedback is completed by producing photons that resonate at the right frequency to excite the caesium.

Video 4. Inside the HP 5061A Cesium Clock by CuriousMarc (2020) Source.

A similar model was used in the Hafele-Keating experiment to test special relativity on two planes flying in opposite directions. Miniaturization was key.

Contains a disposable tube with 6g of Caesium. You boil it, so when it runs out, you change the tube, 40k USD. Their tube is made by Agilent Technologies, so a replacement since that opened in 1999, and the original machine is from the 60s.

Detection is done with an electron multiplier.

youtu.be/eOti3kKWX-c?t=1166 They compare it with their 100 dollar GPS disciplined oscillator, since GPS satellites have atomic clocks in them.

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Video 5. Quick presentation of the atomic clock at the National Physical Laboratory (2010) Source. Their super accurate setup first does laser cooling on the caesium atoms.

Table of contents 247
- Caesium standard (1967, 3.26 cm) link nosplit "Atomic clock" 58

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Atomic clock

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