How progress on nuclear clocks shows the benefits of escaping from scientific silos

Combining expertise from atomic physics and electrical engineering leads to breakthrough in miniaturized atomic clocks

A team of researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a new type of atomic clock that is smaller, more accurate, and more stable than any previous atomic clock. The new clock is based on a new design that combines expertise from atomic physics and electrical engineering. The breakthrough could lead to new applications for atomic clocks, such as in navigation, timing, and telecommunications.

Atomic clocks are the most accurate timekeeping devices in the world. They are used to calibrate other clocks, such as the clocks in GPS satellites and cell phones. Atomic clocks are also used in scientific research, such as in experiments to test the laws of physics.

The new atomic clock developed by the NIST team is based on a new design that uses a microfabricated atomic vapor cell. The vapor cell is a small, sealed chamber that contains a vapor of atoms. The atoms are excited by a laser, and the frequency of the laser is tuned to the resonance frequency of the atoms. The resonance frequency is a characteristic of the atoms and is very stable. The frequency of the laser is then used to generate a clock signal.

The new design of the atomic clock has several advantages over previous designs. First, the microfabricated vapor cell is much smaller than the vapor cells used in previous atomic clocks. This makes the new clock more portable and easier to use. Second, the new design uses a laser that is more stable than the lasers used in previous atomic clocks. This makes the new clock more accurate and stable.

The new atomic clock developed by the NIST team is a significant breakthrough in the field of timekeeping. The new clock is smaller, more accurate, and more stable than any previous atomic clock. The breakthrough could lead to new applications for atomic clocks, such as in navigation, timing, and telecommunications.

Conclusion

The development of the new atomic clock is a testament to the benefits of escaping from scientific silos. The new clock was developed by a team of researchers from atomic physics and electrical engineering. The team was able to combine their expertise to create a new clock that is smaller, more accurate, and more stable than any previous atomic clock. The breakthrough could lead to new applications for atomic clocks, such as in navigation, timing, and telecommunications.