Breakthrough in Nuclear Clock Technology Promises Unmatched Precision

Scientists achieve unprecedented accuracy in measuring thorium-229 transitions, paving the way for revolutionary advancements in timekeeping and fundamental physics.

Researchers at JILA have developed core components for a nuclear clock, achieving a million times higher precision than previous methods.
The nuclear clock uses thorium-229 transitions, which are less affected by environmental disturbances compared to atomic clocks.
This advancement could lead to more precise GPS systems, faster internet, and more secure communications.
Nuclear clocks may enable new tests of fundamental physics, potentially revealing changes in nature's constants over time.
The research marks a significant step towards integrating nuclear clocks with existing timekeeping systems.