March 14, 2012 07:23 pm EDT

New single ion clock is '100 times more precise' than existing atomic models

Researchers at the University of South Wales have developed a new type of atomic clock that measures an atom's neutron orbit instead of the electron's flight path. This method is apparently accurate to 19 decimal places, with several lasers shifting electrons in a certain way, allowing Professor Victor Flambaum to measure the "pendulum" motion of the neutron. It's purportedly close to 100 times more precise than its predecessors -- all with no freezing involved. These existing atomic clocks may be accurate beyond 100 million years, but for this new breed of hyper-accurate timekeeping, you'll only need to reset the clock once every 14 billion years. And we have no idea how they calculated that.

New single ion clock is '100 times more precise' than existing atomic models originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PermalinkThe Verge | News.com.au ||Comments

Original Link: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/single-ion-clock-more-precise-than-atomic-models/

View Full Article

Engadget

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics. Engadget was launched in March of 2004 in partnership with the Weblogs, Inc. Network (WI

More About this Source Visit Engadget