Optical time and frequency standard based on single indium ion

We feel that continuing advancement of the state of the art of single ion trapping and laser technology will make a single laser-cooled ion a viable candidate for a time or frequency standard in the very near future. The recent achievements in flywheel laser technology and the use of femtosecond "comb" lasers to bridge the optical-microwave gap are very important steps in this direction. These advances together with the well-known advantages of,an optical frequency and small systematics should make the prospects for a single-ion optical standard very favorable indeed.