Physicists pinpoint the perfect crystal site for an ultra-accurate nuclear clock
Growing crystals “like alchemy,” researchers plotted out the ideal site within the lattice to build a nuclear clock
Physicists have identified the ideal spot within a crystal to construct an ultra-precise nuclear clock. Currently, the most accurate atomic clocks, which measure the consistent electron jumps between energy states under specific laser light, would only lose a second of accuracy over the entire age of the universe. However, these clocks are delicate, requiring extensive vacuum chambers and shielding to prevent interference.
To improve accuracy, researchers aim to track energy flips within the atom's nucleus. Thorium atom 229, which can be triggered with an ultraviolet laser, is a promising candidate. A study in Science, led by Thorsten Schumm from the Vienna University of Technology, has pinpointed the optimal crystal site for thorium 229 atoms, reducing the need for extensive shielding and increasing the clock's precision by up to ten times.
The researchers discovered four possible positions for thorium atoms in the crystal lattice, with one demonstrating an even electric field and ideal conditions for the clock. Schumm's team has already built early prototypes of the new clocks and has patented a method to create a miniature clock suitable for data center use.
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