JILA’s atomic clock is incredibly precise, capable of losing only one second every 30 billion years. Developed by scientists at the US research institute JILA, this new type of optical atomic clock can measure the smallest impacts predicted by Einstein’s general theory of relativity. This advancement could lead to a more precise definition of a second, potentially aiding in the discovery of new underground mineral deposits.
Traditionally, atomic clocks use microwaves to measure the length of a second. However, the use of visible light on atoms has been shown to improve the accuracy of time measurement, as light waves have a higher frequency. Optical atomic clocks, like the one developed by JILA, can greatly improve accuracy, losing only one second every 30 billion years compared to microwave clocks. To achieve this level of precision, these clocks need to measure tiny fractions of a second.
Instead of using a beam of visible light, the JILA team utilized an optical lattice – a network of lights – to measure tens of thousands of atoms simultaneously. This method provides the atomic clock with more data to accurately measure a second. By reducing sources of error within the measurement process, such as the lasers used to measure the atoms and the impacts of atoms colliding, the JILA researchers were able to achieve exceptional accuracy.
According to Einstein’s general theory of relativity, gravity can affect time. The clock developed by JILA is so sensitive that it can measure the effects of gravity on timekeeping at submillimeter levels. This precision could be crucial in the realm of quantum computing, as the clock’s measurements could help researchers understand how gravity influences the flow of time in the microscopic world.
JILA, a joint institute of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder, plans to publish their findings in the journal Physical Review Letters. The team’s work could have implications for space exploration, with the clock’s precision potentially aiding in landing spacecraft on distant planets like Mars. Jun Ye, a physicist at JILA, emphasized the importance of precise timekeeping for accurate navigation across vast distances in space.