Program

Lectures

Introduction to TF – Basic concepts and vocabulary, and technical issues (oscillators, frequency standards, accuracy, stability, phase noise, jitter, physical environment, etc.).
Measurement methods and experimental techniques – Spectra (phase noise, Sphi(f) and the deprecated L(f), amplitude noise), variances, frequency measurement and comparison.
Atomic clocks – Physics, traditional clocks (atomic beam, vapor cell and maser), cold atoms, optical clocks, and small-size clocks.
Oscillators – RF and microwave oscillators, cavity-stabilized lasers, optical frequency combs.
Timing and applications – Time scales, navigation, frequency transfer and synchronization.
Physics, applications, and trends.

Hands-on laboratory sessions

Participants access 7.5-H labs in three sessions, where they do real experiments and measurements

Analysis of frequency and phase data,
Phase noise and amplitude noise,
Software-Defined Radio techniques for time and frequency metrology,
Classical resonators
Spectroscopy and atomic clocks

Social events and visits

Visit at the Observatory of Besançon
FEMTO-ST Laboratory Tour
Visit at the Time Museum, Besançon downtown
Social dinner
Astronomy session at the Observatory (if weather permits). Observe celestial bodies, and adjust your watch to stars using the ancient methods and instruments

The EFTS is a training course, not a conference

Program and topics are decided by the Scientific Council
Thee is no “call for papers”
All lecturers are invited by the Scientific Council, no exception admitted
Students shall not present lectures/posters
There is no room for exhibitors or advertisers

New, since 2026

We plan to accept up to 60 participants, all accessing 7.5 H labs in small grpups.
A small fraction of such places may be reserved, based on scientific criteria.
There are two tracks: Metrology (max 24 people) and Research (max 36 people).
- The tracks differ in two of the three 2.5-H lab sessions.
- All lectures and one lab session are the same.
- Applicants express their preference, but they may be assigned to the other track depending on the availability of places.
Companies/Institutions sending multiple participants shall indicate a correspondant, our unique interlocutor if we need to arbitrate in applications.
The full-labs (12H), half-labs (6H) and no-labs options are suppressed.

Preliminary agenda

Download the preliminary timetable (pdf)

Monday "Science, beer and chips" session

Informal discussions about the research projects running in Besançon, around posters, beer and chips. This session is an opportunity for private discussions between students, lecturers and our researchers. It helps to plan the Friday laboratory tour, and it may open the opportunity to private visits on specific topics in the free time during the week. Students shall not bring their own posters.

The EFTS is kindly hosted by SUPMICROTECH ENSMM