Optical Time Transfer Link between NIST and Mt. Blue Sky Connecting Yb-Lattice Clocks for Relativistic Geodesy

ORAL

Abstract

We present an optical clock comparison over a hybrid optical network, consisting of a 69 km free-space link and an 81 km fiber link. This is an initial quantum sensor network demonstration from the Relativistic Redshift Peak-to-Plains (R2P2) collaboration. The network connects two independent neutral Yb-lattice clocks at two locations: the summit of Mt. Blue Sky (elevation 4300 m) and the NIST campus in Boulder, Colorado (elevation 1650 m), spanning a height difference of ~2700 m. During a technical shakedown in August 2025, the full optical network was operated phase-continuously with instabilities reaching a few parts in 10-17 at an averaging time of ~100 s. The R2P2 collaboration is currently performing additional network characterization over short testbed links targeting validation of fractional frequency instabilities and uncertainties at the 10-18 level. Results from these characterizations will also be presented.

*We acknowledge funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  National Geodetic Survey (NGS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, Quantum Systems through Entangled Science and Engineering (Q-SEnSE) and Quantum Sensing Challenges for Transformational Advances in Quantum Systems (QuSeC-TAQS) programs.

–

Presenters

  • Theodora M Triano

    • University of Colorado, Boulder

Authors

  • Theodora M Triano

    • University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Roger C Brown

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology

  • Emily D Caldwell

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • Christopher D Dennis

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • Jean-Daniel Deschenes

    • Octosig Consulting

  • Scott Diddams

    • University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Fabrizio R Giorgetta

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • Tanner Grogan

    • University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Adam Halaoui

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • Benjamin D Hunt

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • Andrew D Ludlow

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology

  • Harikesh Ranganath

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST
    • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

  • Laura C Sinclair

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • William C Swann

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • Eric W Swiler

    • National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • NIST

  • Skyler C Weight

    • University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Derek Van Westrum

    • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    • NOAA

  • Tsung-Han Wu

    • University of Colorado, Boulder