Forget atomic clocks—there’s a new timekeeper in town. Scientists have unveiled the world’s first nuclear clock, which could redefine precision in time measurement.
An international team has demonstrated key components of this revolutionary device. The nuclear clock uses signals from the nucleus of an atom rather than the electron transitions used in atomic clocks.
To create this clock, researchers employed a special ultraviolet laser to measure energy jumps in thorium nuclei, embedded in a solid crystal. They also used an optical frequency comb, an ultra-precise light ruler, to count the wave cycles of these energy jumps.
Although this demonstration is not yet a fully functional nuclear clock, it includes all the essential technology for one. Nuclear clocks could surpass the accuracy of current atomic clocks, which are crucial for GPS, internet synchronisation, and financial transactions.
For the public, nuclear clocks might lead to even more precise navigation, faster internet speeds, and more secure communications. They could also enhance our understanding of the universe, potentially aiding in the detection of dark matter and testing fundamental physics theories.
Unlike atomic clocks, which rely on electron transitions and are affected by external disturbances, nuclear clocks use mechanisms in the nucleus. This makes them less sensitive to interference and more accurate. The higher frequency of the laser light used in nuclear clocks also contributes to their precision.
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado Boulder led the study. Jun Ye, a co-author, said, “Imagine a wristwatch that wouldn’t lose a second even after billions of years. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer.”
Thorsten Schumm, another co-author, added, “With this prototype, we’ve shown that thorium can be used for ultra-high-precision timekeeping.
The major hurdles are behind us; now it’s just a matter of technical development.”
The findings were published in the journal 'Nature'.
