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Test of relativistic time dilation with fast optical atomic clocks at different velocities

Nature Physics volume 3, pages 861–864 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Time dilation is one of the most fascinating aspects of special relativity as it abolishes the notion of absolute time. It was first observed experimentally by Ives and Stilwell in 1938 using the Doppler effect. Here we report on a method, based on fast optical atomic clocks with large, but different Lorentz boosts, that tests relativistic time dilation with unprecedented precision. The approach combines ion storage and cooling with optical frequency counting using a frequency comb. 7Li+ ions are prepared at 6.4% and 3.0% of the speed of light in a storage ring, and their time is read with an accuracy of 2×10−10 using laser saturation spectroscopy. The comparison of the Doppler shifts yields a time dilation measurement represented by a Mansouri–Sexl parameter , consistent with special relativity. This constrains the existence of a preferred cosmological reference frame and CPT- and Lorentz-violating ‘new’ physics beyond the standard model.

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Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the TSR.
Figure 2: Results from the saturation spectroscopy.

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Acknowledgements

Technical support from M. Grieser, K. Horn and H. Krieger is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, 69029 Heidelberg, Germany

    Sascha Reinhardt, Guido Saathoff, Henrik Buhr, Lars A. Carlson, Andreas Wolf & Dirk Schwalm

  2. Institut für Physik, Universität Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany

    Sergei Karpuk, Christian Novotny & Gerhard Huber

  3. Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, 85748 Garching, Germany

    Marcus Zimmermann, Ronald Holzwarth, Thomas Udem & Theodor W. Hänsch

  4. Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3T 2N2, Canada

    Gerald Gwinner

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Correspondence to Gerald Gwinner.

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Reinhardt, S., Saathoff, G., Buhr, H. et al. Test of relativistic time dilation with fast optical atomic clocks at different velocities. Nature Phys 3, 861–864 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys778

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