National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s Post

Time is no longer what it used to be! Scientists have built an atomic clock so precise, it can actually detect tiny distortions in the fabric of space and time itself. This new timekeeping device uses lasers to trap and measure thousands of individual atoms. By illuminating the atoms with visible light instead of microwaves, it can measure the second with unprecedented accuracy - barely losing 1 second every 30 billion years! The clock is so sensitive that just raising or lowering it by the width of a human hair is enough to perceive changes in the flow of time caused by gravity warping the space around it. For the first time ever, we can begin to experimentally explore the intersection of quantum physics and Einstein's theory of relativity on microscopic scales. This clock is unlocking new frontiers in our understanding of the universe! Learn more in our latest news story: https://lnkd.in/g2a7Kb5e #Physics #Quantum #Time #Frequency

  • Close-up of a scientific instrument with wires and a circular metallic component with various magnifying glass like devices around it.
Thomas Jay

Semiconductor Industry Consultant - Viera, FL

1mo

One second every 30 billion years? What is the new metric descriptor? It seems femto and attoseconds are now old hat.

Like
Reply

Where it is located to be protected from vibrations, shocks, and earthquakes? 🤔 The last atomic clock was in space on ISS, wasn't it?

Like
Reply
Peter Zhang

CS @ Berkeley | What's the point of it all anyway?

1mo

these "stop the watch at 10s" challenges are getting out of hand

Dr Nathaniel Henry Scarlett Johansson Fox

Director Central Intelligence Agency | Author | Kindle Direct Publishing | Writing Expert with extensive publication experience

1mo

NIST versus Bethesda on ethics today I see.. my left eye sees while my right very little, that the dawn of the aperture is of some impart to the desk for which we labour.. though I admire NIST, its gettin' awfully lonely around here and cold, but that's life some days.. I miss Colorado!!! I love NIST!!! CU Buffs!

Joel L.

Retired Consultant - Nuclear Engineering, Operations, Training and Oversight

1mo

It will be interesting to see if this new technology will provide more insight into the direction (arrow) of time in addition to the dilation caused by gravity/motion.

Is there a hardware system publicly documented that offers a wide enough register to perform simple math between operands of this clocks precision without having to punt to an AVX, or SIMD solution multipath solution?

Like
Reply
Ty Guernsey

Owner of Guernsey Coating Lab, Inc.

1mo

Advances in science, technology, engineering and math reaching beyond the imagination becoming a reality! In the not so distant past the ingenious Antikythera Mechanism … looking beyond.

Dan Bolton

MCM (SCCM) Administrator | Intune | MDM | Endpoint Management | Information Security

1mo

Adapting to fluctuations in spatial curvature could narrow the chaotic probabilities of our deterministic future.

Like
Reply

Now we can be more precise when we are late

See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics