 |
|
NIST atomic fountain clock gets much better with time
September 26, 2005The world's best clock, NIST-F1, has been improved over the past few years and now measures time and frequency more than twice as accurately as it did in 1999 when first used as a national standard, physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) report.
The improved version of NIST-F1 would neither gain nor lose one second in 60 million years, according to a paper published online Sept. 13 by the journal Metrologia.* NIST-F1 uses a fountain-like movement of cesium atoms to determine the length of the second. The clock measures the natural oscillations of the atoms to produce more than 9 billion "ticks" per second. These results then contribute to the international group of atomic clocks that define the official world time. NIST-F1 has been formally evaluated 15 times since 1999; in its record performance, it measured the second with an uncertainty of 0.53 × 10-15
The improved accuracy is due largely to three factors, according to Tom Parker, leader of the NIST atomic standards research group. First, better lasers, software and other components have made the entire NIST-F1 system much more reliable and able to operate for longer periods of time. Second, the atoms in the cesium vapor are now spread out over a much larger volume of space, reducing the frequency shifts caused by interactions among the atoms. (The formerly round cloud of atoms is now shaped like a short cigar.) Third, scientists are now better able to control magnetic fields within the clock and quantify the corrections needed to compensate for their effects on the atoms.
Improved time and frequency standards have many applications. For instance, ultraprecise clocks can be used to improve synchronization in precision navigation and positioning systems, telecommunications networks, and wireless and deep-space communications. Better frequency standards can be used to improve probes of magnetic and gravitational fields for security and medical applications, and to measure whether "fundamental constants" used in scientific research might be varying over time-a question that has enormous implications for understanding the origins and ultimate fate of the universe.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NI
Improved time and frequency standards have many applications. For instance, ultraprecise clocks can be used to improve synchronization in precision navigation and positioning systems, telecommunications networks, and wireless and deep-space communications. Better frequency standards can be used to improve probes of magnetic and gravitational fields for security and medical applications, and to measure whether "fundamental constants" used in scientific research might be varying over time-a question that has enormous implications for understanding the origins and ultimate fate of the universe.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NI
Atomic Clock Current Events and Atomic Clock News RSSOptical atomic clock becomes portable
You imagine a clock to be different - yet the optical table with its many complicated set-ups really is one. Optical clocks like the strontium clock in the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig could be the atomic clocks of the future; some of them though are already ten times more precise and stable than the best primary caesium atomic clocks.
Ytterbium gains ground in quest for next-generation atomic clocks
An experimental atomic clock based on ytterbium atoms is about four times more accurate than it was several years ago, giving it a precision comparable to that of the NIST-F1 cesium fountain clock, the nation's civilian time standard, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) report in Physical Review Letters.
New JILA technique reveals hidden properties of ultracold atomic gases
Physicists at JILA, a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado at Boulder, have demonstrated a powerful new technique that reveals hidden properties of ultracold atomic gases.
New method to directly probe the quantum collisions of individual atoms
The first demonstration of a fundamentally new method for measuring a particular quantum property of individual atoms will be described in a research paper to be published in the 19 April 2007 edition of the journal Nature.
Atomic clock signals may be best shared by fiber-optics
Time and frequency information can be transferred between laboratories or to other users in several ways, often using the Global Positioning System (GPS). But today's best atomic clocks are so accurate—neither gaining nor losing one second in as long as 400 million years—that more stable methods are needed.
Biologists find biological clock for smell in mice
Biologists at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a large biological clock in the smelling center of mice brains and have revealed that the sense of smell for mice is stronger at night, peaking in evening hours and waning during day light hours.
Physicists make atomic clock breakthrough
Andrei Derevianko, Kyle Beloy, and Ulyana Safronova sat down six months ago and began work on a calculation that will help the world keep better time. In competition with scientists at the University of New South Wales, the University team led by associate professor Derevianko conducted research that increased the accuracy of atomic clocks, and they did it without running a single experiment.
Mercury atomic clock keeps time with record accuracy
An experimental atomic clock based on a single mercury atom is now at least five times more precise than the national standard clock based on a "fountain" of cesium atoms.
New technologies enhance quantum cryptography
A team of Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists, in collaboration with researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colo., and Albion College, in Albion, Mich., have achieved quantum key distribution (QKD) at telecommunications industry wavelengths in a 50-kilometer (31 mile) optical fiber.
Tandem ions may lead the way to better atomic clocks
Physicists at the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have used the natural oscillations of two different types of charged atoms, or ions, confined together in a single trap, to produce the "ticks" that may power a future atomic clock.
More Atomic Clock Current Events and Atomic Clock News Articles
 |
La Crosse Technology WS-8117U-IT-AL Atomic Clock with Remote Temperature by La Crosse Technology Hang on wall or free standing. Displays indoor/outdoor temperature, 12 hour time, perpetual calendar, tendency arrow, forecast icon on changing barometric pressure and indoor humidity. Features: atomic time and date with manual setting, automatically upda tes for daylight saving time (On/Off Option), time zone setting, time alarm with snooze, 3 languages to choose from: English, French, and Spanish, swiss precision sensor, 1- to 99-percent indoor humidity range, negative 21.8 to 157.8 degrees fahrenheit, 1 4.1 to 99.8 degrees fahrenheit indoor temperature range, up to 330 transmission range and 433.92 MHz transmission frequency. Clock requires 3 "AA" alkaline batteries. Wireless sensor requires 2 "AA" alkaline batteries. |
 |
La Crosse Technology WS-8117U-IT-OAK Atomic Wall Clock with Outdoor Temperature by La Crosse Technology Features: Wireless outdoor temperature (F or C). Monitors indoor temperature (F or C). 12 Moon phases. Atomic time and date with manual setting. Automatically updates for Daylight Saving Time (on/off option). 12/24 hour time display. Perpetual calendar. Time zone setting. Time alarm with snooze. 4 languages to choose from: English, French, German, Spanish. Wall hanging or free standing. Specifications: Wireless outdoor temperature range: -39.8F to 139.8 F (-39.8C to 59.8 C). Indoor temperature range: 14.1 F to 103.8 F (-9.8C to 39.8 C). Moon phase: 12 phases. Transmission range: Up to 330 Feet. Transmission frequency: 915 MHz. Power Requirements: Clock: 2 "AA" Alkaline batteries, Wireless sensor: 2 "AA" Alkaline batteries. Dimensions: Receiver: 8" x 12.2" x 1.18". Sensor: 5.05 " x 1.5"... |
 |
La Crosse Technology WT-8005U-B Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Indoor Temperature, Black by La Crosse Technology Digital Style Self-setting time piece for your convenience and enjoyment. This clock time display receives the Universal Time automatically keeping you, right on time! It features perpetual calendar that displays weekday and also monitors your indoor temperature, even a time alarm with snooze for tableside use. |
 |
La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase by La Crosse Technology The WS-8418U-IT is a wonderfu Atomic Clock that displays atomic time, day, date, indoor and outdoor temperatures, and moon phase, without giving a cluttered appearance to your home. Also, has alarm and remote sensor the can measure outside temperature up to 330 feet. |
 |
Sony ICF-C318 Automatic Time Set Clock Radio with Dual Alarm (Black) by Sony Stylish Design takes up a minimum of space on the nightstand, desk or dresser. Visible 0.9" Green LED allows the large size numerals to be seen easily, even at night. |
 |
La Crosse Technology WT-3122A 12 1/2-Inch Wood Atomic Analog Clock by La Crosse Technology Lacrosse Technology 12.5" Atomic Analog WT-3122A Lacrosse Technology 12.5" Atomic Analog WT-3122A12.5" WoodAtomic TimeUpdates for DSTDimensions: Receiver: 12.5" Diameter All Features: Atomic time with manual settingAutomatically sets to exact timeAccurate to the secondAutomatically updates for daylight saving time (on/off option)4 time zone settingsSimple operation: insert 1"AA" alkaline batterySpecifications: Simple Operation: Insert One"AA" Alkaline BatteryAfter signal is received, press Time Zone button to setFour Time Zone SettingsDaylight Saving Time Option On/OffManual Reset ButtonPower requirements:Clock: One"AA" Alkaline... |
 |
La Crosse Technology WT-3102B 10-Inch Atomic Analog Clock by La Crosse Technology 10" Diameter, Plastic Frame, Atomic Analog Wall Clock, Features Atomic Time With Optional Manual Setting, Automatically Sets To Exact Time, Accurate To The Second, Automatically Updates, 4 Time Zone Settings & Requires 1 Alkaline Battery To Operate. |
 |
Sharp SPC364 Atomic LCD Bedside Alarm Clock (Silver) by Sharp The Sharp Technology Atomic 0.5" LCD bedside alarmFeatures month,date and day of week It also has snooze. |
 |
La Crosse Technology WT-3143A Atomic Wall Clock by La Crosse Technology This clock sets itself to the U.S. atomic clock in Boulder, Colorado, thus maintaining absolute time accuracy. It also adjusts automatically for Daylight Saving Time. |
 |
La Crosse Technology WS-9611U-IT-TBP Wireless Sun/Moon Weather Station with 15 Advanced Forecast Icons by The Weather Channel The La Crosse Technology WS-9611U-IT(TBP)Wireless Sun/Moon Weather Station with 15 Advanced Forecast Icons helps you prepare for your day and decide what to wear. This unit also displays sunrise/sunset for 99 cities along with moon phase. In addition, it displays indoor temperature and humidity, and outdoor temperature. Time is set by the U.S. atomic clock. Compatible with La Crosse Technology TX29U-IT 915 MHz Wireless Temperature Sensor. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |