Precision Time and Frequency

Our Precise Time and Frequency research laboratory is in response to a proven need for talent development in the timekeeping field. The small academic presence in precision timekeeping is strongly focused on pure Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics research on “next-gen” clocks not likely to be implemented for decades. This dissonance between industry and academia has created a roughly 30-year gap in Americans trained to maintain and improve the nation’s timekeeping infrastructure, forcing companies to increasingly rely on workers past retirement age or who must try to learn on the job over many years. The “greying” of the field has not gone unnoticed by government, defense and industrial entities, who have made their support clear for an interdisciplinary program to teach the next generation.

Anything that uses a computer or electric power is now reliant on our nation’s increasingly fragile timekeeping infrastructure for productivity. Even if we only consider sectors with direct use of precise timing, we still must consider over one-third of the US Gross Domestic Product, or $10.8 Trillion dollars to be vulnerable each year, as estimated by the US Department of Commerce.

Formation of Graduate Specialization in Precision Timing
Degree specializations for the MS and PhD programs in Precise Time have been approved by the University, accredited, and can be viewed on the UA website.

We also have negotiated an Educational Partnership Agreement with the United States Naval Observatory, who will donate equipment, educational effort, and manpower to help UA build a world class research and training center. Equipment and support to my laboratory has been received or allocated from USNO and Microchip Technologies.