Demonstration of Real-Time Precision Optical Time Synchronization in a True Three-Node Architecture

Authors

• Kyle W. Martin, Blue Halo
• Nader Zaki, Space Dynamics Laboratory
• Nolan Matthews, Space Dynamics Laboratory
• Matthew S. Bigelow, Blue Halo
• Benjamin K. Stuhl, Space Dynamics Laboratory
• John D. Elgin, Air Force Research Laboratory
• Kimberly Frey, Air Force Research Laboratory

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Physics: Photonics

Volume

7

Issue

2

Publisher

IOP Publishing

Publication Date

3-11-2025

Journal Article Version

Version of Record

First Page

1

Last Page

11

Abstract

Multi-node optical clock networks will enable future studies of fundamental physics and enable applications in quantum and classical communications as well as navigation and geodesy. We implement the first ever multi-node optical clock network with real-time, relative synchronization over free-space communication channels and precision on the order of 10 femtoseconds, realized as a three-node system in a hub-and-spoke topology. In this paper we describe the system and its performance, including a first ever measurement of precision optical time synchronization between nodes with no direct communication link or causal feedback relationship.

Recommended Citation

Martin, Kyle W.; Zaki, Nader; Matthews, Nolan; Bigelow, Matthew S.; Stuhl, Benjamin K.; Elgin, John D.; and Frey, Kimberly, "Demonstration of Real-Time Precision Optical Time Synchronization in a True Three-Node Architecture" (2025). Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications. Paper 347.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/sdl_pubs/347