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Second Redefined? Scientists Create Hyper-Accurate Clock
16 Mar
Summary
- Strontium optical lattice clock measures seconds to 19 decimal places.
- Clock's precision means it would be off by only one second in 30 billion years.
- New clock technology could redefine the second within the next decade.
A groundbreaking strontium optical lattice clock has been developed, achieving a level of precision that could lead to a redefinition of the second. This advanced timepiece measures time to 19 decimal places, exhibiting an accuracy so profound that it would only lose approximately one second over 30 billion years.
This technological feat signifies a major advance in optical clock development. It brings scientists closer to their goal of altering the international definition of a second within the coming decade. The clock's performance meets the stringent accuracy requirements for such a redefinition.
Traditionally, the second was a fraction of a day, later defined by cesium atom oscillations. However, strontium atoms oscillate at a much higher rate, approximately 700 quadrillion 'ticks' per second, offering superior accuracy. The successful development of multiple precise strontium clocks is a key step towards official adoption.
This new clock technology holds promise beyond redefining time. Researchers anticipate its use in detecting dark matter, precisely measuring Earth's gravitational field, testing fundamental physical laws, and advancing satellite navigation systems.
