The measurement of time : time, frequency and the atomic clock

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the physics of time and time measurement, from an historical perspective to the modern day. It discusses the stability and accuracy of atomic frequency standards, including different types of oscillators and atomic clocks, and covers the most recent developments and uses of these devices. The precision of atomic clocks and the atomic time scale are considered in the context of fundamental physical research, with relation to general relativity and searches for possible time variation in the fundamental constants. The authors also discuss International Atomic Time and its relationship to Coordinated Universal Time and the time scales used in astronomy, as well as applications such as the Global Positioning System (GPS).