Atomic Clock (Photo : Youtube)
National Institute of Standard Technology (NIST) has recently developed the most accurate atomic clock, made of strontium. It is currently the most stable and precise atomic clock. It is designed in such a way that it will not change by even a single second in the next 15 billion years.
Precision time keeping is of more value than it appears to be, its implications can be used in advanced communications, GPS technologies and other science projects, according to Washington Post. It can also be applied in many other area that do not directly deal with just time keeping, like altimeters and gravitational experiments.
The atomic clock which has been replaced by this new model was three times less precise than the current one, according to I4U News. The exact precision of this atomic clock makes it set a world record of its own. The developers at NIST have worked in a truly intricate manner to make the clock approach the true resonant frequency at which the atoms of strontium oscillate when present between two electronic energy levels.
This clock also has an additional improvised feature which makes each of its tick match with each other which is another world record in this area. This clock has been perfected to be used to determine the tiniest changes in time and force of gravity.
In order to maintain the thermal environment for the atoms, the scientists have also installed two platinum resistance thermometers in the clock's vacuum chambers. This would allow the clock to operate at room temperature. Hence the scientists can keep the clock in a normal temperature, rather than a much cooler cryogenic environment.
All the findings and procedures of this new most accurate atomic clock have been published in A New Era in Atomic Clocks, on NIST's official website.
