Search for New Physics with Atomic Clocks
PD Dr. Ekkekard Peik (PTB Braunschweig)

The precision of atomic clocks improves at a rapid pace: While caesium clocks now reach relative uncertainties of a few 10-16, several optical clocks based on different atoms and ions are now reported with systematic uncertainties in the 10-18 range [1]. The availability of highly precise clocks relying on different quantum systems will allow for improved tests of fundamental physics, especially quantitative tests of relativity and searches for variations of fundamental constants [2], as they are prognosticated in theories attempting to unify the fundamental interactions. Recently it has been proposed to search for dark matter with ensembles of clocks that should show transient or oscillating frequency changes [3,4]. I will present the status and plans for such experiments based on the optical and microwave clocks at PTB.