An algorithm for the generation of optical time scales

This work presents the preliminary results of off- line and on-line tests of a robust algorithm for the generation of optical time scales. The algorithm is applied to experimental data from a hydrogen maser and an ytterbium optical clock. The off- line test, where the optical time scale is obtained in post- processing, covers a period of about two months during which the time scale shows a sub-nanosecond accuracy; the on-line test, where the optical time scale is a physical signal obtained in the time laboratory, covers a period of about 1 month and shows an accuracy in line with the results of the off-line test. The future developments of our work, including the integration of the optical clock in the architecture for the generation of the Italian time scale UTC(IT), are also discussed.