Scientists have developed one of the most accurate clocks ever made, which could change the way time is measured globally. It is an optical clock based on strontium, which measures the second with an accuracy of up to 19 decimal places.
Unlike the existing atomic clocks that use the cesium atom, the new system uses strontium atom oscillations that are many times faster. While cesium “beats” about 9 billion times per second, strontium reaches a frequency of even 700 quadrillion oscillations in the same time interval.
Optical watches push the limits of precision
This difference allows for significantly greater precision. Estimates show that such a clock, even if it worked for 30 billion years, would be wrong by just one second.
The current definition of a second, adopted in 1967, is based precisely on the cesium atom. However, variations in the Earth’s rotation and the limitations of existing technology leave room for further improvements, which optical clocks now make possible.
The researchers point out that the level of precision needed to redefine the second within the international system of units has been achieved. The official change requires at least three independent optical clocks to reach the same level of stability and precision, which has now been practically achieved.
Apart from redefining time, such watches have a wide range of applications. They can contribute to dark matter research, more accurate mapping of the Earth’s gravitational field, as well as the development of advanced navigation systems and satellite technologies.
Additionally, the development of portable and space-based versions of these clocks could enable the establishment of a single, ultra-precise global time standard.
Optical clocks work by measuring the frequency of light emitted by electrons as they transition between energy levels within an atom. This frequency represents the “beat” of the clock and enables extremely accurate time measurement.
With this achievement, scientists have taken a key step towards redefining one of the basic physical units, which could have far-reaching consequences for science and technology, the Daily Mail reports.