A team of physicists and engineers at Vector Atomic, an American manufacturer of navigation and communications equipment, have developed an incredibly accurate and durable atomic clock. This new clock is said to be 1,000 times more accurate than most clocks found on ships today. The research was published in the journal Nature and describes the process of creating the clock and its performance during real-world testing on a ship in the Pacific Ocean.
As technology on ships becomes more advanced, the need for precise timing becomes increasingly important. Navigation systems rely on accurate timekeeping in order to work properly, as even a small error in time can lead to significant positioning errors. This is especially critical for military ships that use radio systems and GPS for navigation.
Currently, ships use atomic clocks that are sturdy enough to function while the ship is in motion, but are not as accurate as the clocks found in research laboratories. The experts at Vector Atomic have developed a new clock model that helps bridge this accuracy gap.
The new clock uses vibrating iodine molecules and is small and lightweight, weighing just 26kg and the size of three shoeboxes. The research team claims that it is highly accurate and can be easily used on most ships. During testing with the New Zealand navy aboard HMNZS Aotearoa, the clock maintained an impressive level of accuracy, with a cumulative time error of only about 300 picoseconds per day.
The team is now working to further develop the clock with the goal of making it small enough to be utilized on navigation satellites. The potential applications for this highly accurate atomic clock are vast and could greatly improve navigation systems across various industries.