Atomic Clocks: Optical Frequency Standards

This lecture covers the principles of atomic clocks, focusing on optical frequency standards. Topics include the history of timekeeping, the transition from mechanical to atomic era, and the use of optical frequencies for superior frequency standards. The instructor discusses the operation of cesium clocks, the measurement of carrier envelope frequency, and the potential of optical clocks to surpass microwave standards. The lecture also explores the concept of timekeeping using higher frequencies and the challenges in measuring optical frequencies accurately.