Precise time without GPS: optical atomic clock runs two weeks nonstop at sea
U.S. company Infleqtion's compact Tiqker atomic clock withstood temperature swings and constant vibration during U.S. Navy exercises. The aim is a timing source independent of satellites.
Symbolic image · Photo: National Institute of Standards and Technology / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
U.S. quantum technology company Infleqtion has run its Tiqker optical atomic clock continuously on a ship for two weeks. The compact, rugged clock operated aboard the U.S. Navy support vessel RV Merlin despite large temperature swings and sustained vibration, trade site Quantum Zeitgeist reported, citing the company. Optical atomic clocks use the oscillations of atoms at optical frequencies as their pacemaker.
The tests took place during two exercises: Maritime Big Play Pacific, which involved the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as well as partners from Australia and the United Kingdom, and BARB-26, which focused on subsea and seabed operations. The aim was to assess whether the clock can give ships a timing source independent of GPS.
"The Navy needs dependable timing to navigate, communicate and coordinate operations in the field," said Infleqtion CEO Matthew Kinsella. The report gives no figures on the precision achieved.