Seeking better times: Atomic clocks in the generalized Tonks-Girardeau regime

Abstract

First we discuss briefly the importance of time and time keeping, explaining the basic functioning of clocks in general and of atomic clocks based on Ramsey interferometry in particular. The usefulness of cold atoms is discussed, as well as their limits if Bose-Einstein condensates are used. We study as an alternative a different cold-atom regime: the Tonks-Girardeau (TG) gas of tightly confined and strongly interacting bosons. The TG gas is reviewed and then generalized for two-level atoms. Finally, we explore the combination of Ramsey interferometry and TG gases. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.