TOPTICLOCK
Optical quantum clock
We make accurate time accessible
TOPTICLOCK Optical quantum clock
TOPTICLOCK was developed to make optical quantum clocks accessible to users. The complete instrument comprises a clock laser system (CLS) that is actively stabilized to the 435.5 nm optical transition of a single trapped and laser-cooled ¹⁷¹Yb ion. TOPTICLOCK provides highly accurate optical output at 871 nm (optical frequency standard version) and additionally radiofrequency and pulse-per-second outputs (optical quantum clock version).
The two-rack system is transportable and, after onsite installation, easy to operate by trained personnel. Thanks to its remote control and monitoring capabilities, flexible operation modes, and reliable performance, it is well suited for industrial, institutional, and research applications.
Double The Excellence: TOPTICLOCK wins two Awards in 2026
Our TOPTICLOCK has received the 2026 SPIE Prism Award in the Quantum Tech category. The award was presented at Photonics West 2026 in San Francisco, recognizing achievements in photonics innovation. Press release
The TOPTICLOCK team was also honored with the 2026 Paul F. Forman Team Engineering Excellence Award for its engineering performance and innovation. Press release
Your Benefits
Stability and accuracy to the 17th digit
World's first commercial optical quantum clock based on a single laser-cooled ion.
User-friendly and versatile
TOPTICLOCK allows for fully automated clock operation including calibration sub-routines while offering to run and program individual sequences.
Full performance within days after transport
Our optical quantum clock achieves specified performance on the 10-17-level within days after transport and installation.
Commercially available
No need to self-built. Our commercially available TOPTICLOCK will be delivered and installed at your premises. Until recently, optical quantum clocks were laboratory-scale research-type setups designed and operated by teams of specialized scientists and engineers. Thanks to TOPTICLOCK that time is over.
Experience from many completed projects
TOPTICA’s optical quantum clock builds on successful collaborative research projects. It closely relates to opticlock, that was jointly coordinated by TOPTICA and the German National Metrology Institute PTB.
