American researchers built world's most precise and sturdy atomic clock ever

Atomic clock ( photo credit - K. Palubicki/NIST)

American researchers at JILA, a US research institute, have developed a clock that is not a normal clock but a light-based atomic clock that is the world's most precise and sturdy clock ever.

This clock is capable of detecting gravity at a microscopic scale and providing a more precise definition of a second. It operates by illuminating atoms with visible light, which has a higher frequency.

Researchers at JILA used an innovative technique, through an optical lattice (a web of light) they measured 10,000 atoms simultaneously. This method provided the atomic clock with a substantial amount of data that helped the clock do precise measurements of seconds.

While the optical lattice approach is not entirely new, JILA researchers adopted a relatively gentler method for their measurements. This refined technique helped to minimize two significant sources of error.

The press release highlighted that this gentler approach in utilizing the optical lattice was pivotal in achieving these advancements. The reduced interference from the laser and minimized atomic collisions ensured a cleaner and more precise measurement, pushing the boundaries of atomic clock technology and opening new possibilities for scientific research and practical applications.

Jun Ye, a JILA physicist revealed the accuracy of this clock and said “This clock is so precise that it can detect tiny effects predicted by theories such as general relativity, even at the microscopic scale,” she further added, “It’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with timekeeping.”

According to general relativity theory of Einstein (gravity is caused by the warping of space and time) along with their enhanced precision, these next-generation clocks can also help uncover hidden underground mineral deposits. This discovery will revolutionize timekeeping.

For the designers of atomic clocks, the goal extends beyond simply creating a more accurate timepiece, this discovery will influence our world and understanding of space and time.