Researchers Develop Portable Sea-Based Optical Atomic Clocks

June 12, 2024

Atomic clocks are very important for the Global Positioning System (GPS), and there have been recent improvements in this area. Not only are these devices important for navigation, but they are also used in military actions and case of emergencies. In the past, these timekeeping devices were big and only used in labs. More recent research has worked on making smaller versions that can be taken anywhere.

The Working of an Atomic Clock

Some atomic clocks, like those that use the isotope caesium-133 (Cs-133), work by measuring the microwave radiation that is received when Cs-133 atoms change between two energy levels. The second is defined by the exact frequency of this energy. Because of this process, these clocks can keep a very accurate time. For example, caesium atomic clocks only lose one second every 1.4 million years.

How Optical Atomic Clocks Differ?

Optical atomic clocks are a huge step forward in terms of accuracy. Atomic changes are set off by lasers instead of microwaves in these clocks. Usually, strontium or ytterbium are used. Because optical transitions happen more often, these clocks can count more cycles per second. This lets them measure time more accurately and get smaller line widths for even more accuracy.

Building a Portable Optical Atomic Clock

A new study in the journal Nature goes into depth about how new technologies have led to the creation of portable optical atomic clocks. Molecular iodine is used in these new clocks, which are small enough to be put on ships and have miniature parts like spectrometers and laser systems. Even though they are less accurate because they are smaller and easier to carry, these maritime optical clocks are still much more accurate than other choices for keeping time on boats.

The first tests done at sea showed that these portable clocks could work on their own and stay stable in tough conditions like those found at sea. Compared to other high-performance clocks, they have much less long-term drift and can stay stable for long periods, even when the world changes.

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