Using atomic nuclei could allow scientists to read time more precisely than ever – what this research could mean for future clocks
- Written by Eric R. Hudson, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
Atomic clocks exploit the properties of atoms to create incredibly precise 'ticks.'Nate Phillips, NISTMost clocks, from wristwatches to the systems that run GPS and the internet, work by tracking regular, repeating motions.
To build a clock, you need something that ticks in a perfectly repeatable way. In a pendulum clock, that tick is the regular...