天文学进展2016，Vol.34Issue(2)：221-237,17.DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1000-8349.2016.02.06
欧洲空间原子钟组ACES 与超高精度时频传递技术新进展
Advances in Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space of Europe and Ultraprecise Time and Frequency Transfer
摘要
Abstract
One of the foundations for the development of modern physics, astronomy and metrology is the generation, transfer and measurement of high precision time frequency signals. As a space mission for the study of high precision time frequency signals, Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space, or ACES, sponsored by European Space Agency to launch in 2017 or later, will take advantage of the excellent stability performance of microwave atomic clocks in a microgravity environment. One clock using laser-cooled Cs atoms working together with one hydrogen maser clock are planned to be placed onboard the International Space Station in hope to produce a frequency standard with both accuracy and stability reaching the level of 10−16. A microwave link along with a laser link will be set up between ACES and ground atomic clocks distributed around the world for high precision comparison and transfer. Various basic researches will benefit from a high precision space atomic clock such as the verification of Einstein’s general relativity, detection of possible time variability of certain fundamental constants in physics, as well as brand new applications such as relativistic gravity and GNSS remote sensing. This paper reviews and summarizes the principle and architecture of this promising space mission. And more importantly some major challenges that ACES faces and tackles are discussed. China is developing its own space clock program, we hope this paper will encourage more science and technological efforts in related research areas.关键词
空间原子钟组/超高精度时频传递/广义相对论/微波比对链路/激光比对链路Key words
atomic clock ensemble in space/ultraprecise time and frequency transfer/gen-eral relativity/microwave link/laser timing分类
信息技术与安全科学引用本文复制引用
杨文可,孟文东,韩文标,谢勇辉,任晓乾,胡小工,董文丽..欧洲空间原子钟组ACES 与超高精度时频传递技术新进展[J].天文学进展,2016,34(2):221-237,17.基金项目
国家自然科学基金(U1231107) （U1231107）
