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The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division Search NIST Search Menu Close Topics All Topics Advanced communications Artificial intelligence Bioscience Buildings and construction Chemistry Cybersecurity Electronics Energy Environment Fire Forensic science Health Information technology Infrastructure Manufacturing Materials Mathematics and statistics Metrology Nanotechnology Neutron research Performance excellence Physics Public safety Resilience Standards Transportation Publications Labs & Major Programs Laboratories Communications Technology Laboratory Engineering Laboratory Information Technology Laboratory Material Measurement Laboratory Physical Measurement Laboratory User Facilities NIST Center for Neutron Research CNST NanoFab Research Test Beds Research Projects Tools & Instruments Major Programs Baldrige Performance Excellence Program Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Office of Advanced Manufacturing Special Programs Office Technology Partnerships Office Services & Resources Standards and Measurements Calibration Services Laboratory Accreditation (NVLAP) Quality System Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) Standards.gov Time Services Office of Weights and Measures Software Data Chemistry WebBook National Vulnerability Database Physical Reference Data Standard Reference Data (SRD) Computer Security Resource Center (CSRC) License & Patents NIST Research Library News & Events News Events SI Redefinition Feature Stories Blogs Image Gallery Video Gallery Media Contacts About NIST Learn About NIST Contact Us Visit Careers Our Organization Mission, Vision & Values Organization Structure Office of the Director Locations People Budget & Planning Industry Impacts Awards Work with NIST History NIST Digital Archives NIST Museum NIST and the Nobel Policies & Notices Physical Measurement Laboratory Time and Frequency Division The Time and Frequency Division maintains the standard for frequency and time interval for the United States, provides official time to the United States, and carries out a broad program of research and service activities in time and frequency metrology. Laboratory Homepage Division Homepage Official United States Time Groups Expand or Collapse Atomic Devices and Instrumentation Atomic Standards Ion Storage Optical Frequency Measurements Time and Frequency Metrology Time and Frequency Services Popular Links Expand or Collapse A Walk Through Time Daylight Saving Time (DST) Help with Radio Controlled Clocks Telephone Time-of-Day Service Time & Frequency from A - Z Web Clock FAQ Primary Standard (NIST-F1) Publications Radio Stations Expand or Collapse WWV WWVB WWVH Services Expand or Collapse Frequency Calibrations Internet Time Service (ITS) Time Calibrations Time Scale Automated Computer Time Service (ACTS) GPS Data Archive Telephone Time-of-Day (TTDS) Staff Directory Groups Atomic Devices and Instrumentation Group Atomic Standards Group Ion Storage Group Optical Frequency Measurements Group Time and Frequency Metrology Time and Frequency Services NIST-on-a-Chip in ADI NIST-F1 Cesium Fountain Atomic Clock Yb Lattice Clock NASA Builds Atomic Clock for Deep-Space Navigation Time and Frequency Division's own John Lowe spoke about atomic clocks in Voice of America (VOA) George Putic's video report on NASA's next launch. From VOA's website : "Only days after the spectacular liftoff of what is currently the heaviest space rocket, the privately built Falcon Heavy, NASA announced the next launch will carry a specially built atomic clock. The new device, much smaller and sturdier than earth-bound atomic clocks, will help future astronauts navigate in deep space." Popular Links Help with Radio Controlled Clocks Telephone Time Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Division History Time and Frequency from A to Z A Walk Through Time News and Updates NIST Physicists Create Record-Setting Quantum Motion July 22, 2019 Showcasing precise control at the quantum level, physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) NIST’s Quantum Logic Clock Returns to Top Performance July 15, 2019 The quantum logic clock—perhaps best known for showing you age faster if you stand on a stool—has climbed back to the NIST’s Compact Atomic Gyroscope Displays New Twists July 11, 2019 Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have upgraded their compact atomic gyroscope to NIST Team Supersizes ‘Quantum Squeezing’ to Measure Ultrasmall Motion June 20, 2019 Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have harnessed the phenomenon of “quantum View All News and Updates Industry Impacts Navigation through Timekeeping Accurate navigation requires precision timing synchronization to about 1 billionth of a second per day. New applications require timing mechanisms that can View All NIST Industry Impacts Projects and Programs Compact Cold Atom Instruments The cooling of atoms to microkelvin temperatures using lasers is currently enabling a new generation of precision instruments that take advantage of the long Optical and Microwave Waveform Synthesis We use femtosecond-laser frequency combs to generate optical and microwave waveforms with unprecedented noise performance. Microresonator Device Research With micro-resonators (fabricated in house or by collaborators) we are developing microcombs, integrated reference cavities and low-noise laser sources. The Femtosecond-Laser Frequency Combs for Optical Clocks We develop self-referenced mode-locked femtosecond lasers that function as the "gears" of optical clocks. The femtosecond laser clockwork is capable of phase View All Projects/Programs Awards 2019 PECASE - Franklyn Quinlan The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government to... 2018 IEEE Fellow - David A. Howe The IEEE Grade of Fellow is conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors upon a person with an outstanding record of accomplishments in any of... 2017 Rabi Award - Scott Diddams The Rabi Award is to recognize outstanding contributions related to the fields of atomic and molecular frequency standards, and time... John Kitching receives 2017 FLC Technology Transfer Award Chip-Scale Sensor Invention with Vast Applications: Maximizing Transfer to Industry View All Awards Nobel Prize 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics to Dave Wineland of NIST Time and Frequency Division Dave Wineland, of the Ion Storage Group, shares the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics with Serge Haroche of France "for ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems." Dave and his colleagues use these techniques for research in quantum information processing, quantum simulation, atomic clocks, and other areas. More information about the Ion Storage Group can be found here. For more information about the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics, please see the Nobel Prize organization site . Selected Publications An Atomic Clock with 10 -18 Instability Quantum spin dynamics and entanglement generation with hundreds of trapped ions WWVB Radio Controlled Clocks: Recommended Practices for Manufacturers and Consumers (2009 edition) Complete Methods Set for Scalable Ion Trap Quantum Information Processing A Spin-1/2 Optical Lattice Clock NIST on a Chip: Realizing SI units with microfabricated alkali vapour cells Contacts Division Chief Elizabeth Donley elizabeth.donley@nist.gov (303) 497-5173 Office Manager Katy Stephenson kathryn.stephenson@nist.gov (303) 497-3295 HEA...