On June 21, 2008, experts organized by the Basic Bureau, CAS held an intermediate inspection and review meeting for the Important Directional Program of CAS Knowledge Innovation – “Foundation and Technology of New Atomic Frequency Standard” in the Institute of Physics.

Supported by the NTSC, the Program of “Foundation and Technology of New Atomic Frequency Standard” is jointly undertaken by the Institute of Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics and Shanghai Astronomical Observatory all under the CAS. The implementation of this program will narrow the gap between the study on optical frequency standard and new microwave frequency standard of our country and that at the international advanced level, and foster and develop a group of scientific researchers that can be active on the stage of international study on quantum frequency standards.

The expert group listened to the report on overall program progress given by Researcher Zhang Shougang, chief scientist of the program, and the topic status reports made by the principals of all sub-topics, and through inquiries and discussions, the review group were unanimous that the program passed the intermediate inspection because they thought the program group had finished the research at current stage as planned, completed partial relevant research in advance, met and even surpassed partially the requirements of technical indexes, achieved the expected target and made some stage results, laying a good foundation for the realization of final goal. Meanwhile, experts attending the meeting suggested the CAS formulate a strategic planning for the optical frequency standard research to support continuously the research on this topic.