Home / Science / New Crystal Shatters UV Record for Nuclear Clocks
New Crystal Shatters UV Record for Nuclear Clocks
19 Apr
Summary
- New crystal achieves 145.2nm UV light conversion, a record.
- Nuclear clocks promise 10 to 1,000 times more accuracy than atomic clocks.
- Breakthrough aids development of portable nuclear clocks for navigation.
A newly developed fluorinated borate crystal by Chinese scientists has set a world record for ultraviolet light conversion, reaching a wavelength of 145.2nm. This advancement represents a significant step towards the practical development of nuclear clocks. These clocks utilize the stable vibrations within atomic nuclei, offering a potential accuracy 10 to 1,000 times greater than existing atomic clocks.
The enhanced precision of nuclear clocks, particularly those based on thorium 229, could revolutionize navigation. Such technology would enable precise positioning in environments where GPS is unreliable, including deep space and underwater. This capability would benefit submarines by allowing undetected navigation and spacecraft by facilitating autonomous deep space travel. Furthermore, the development could lead to more robust navigation systems for missiles and potentially faster internet speeds in future networks.
