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Next-generation atomic clock successfully tested at sea

Researchers from Adelaide University have developed a new portable atomic clock that can operate in challenging real-world conditions. The device uses laser-cooled atoms to keep time with extreme precision and has been successfully tested at sea on a naval vessel.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2026
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

UMass Amherst research demonstrates new technology for shrinking quantum computers

Researchers at UMass Amherst have made a breakthrough in shrinking the size of quantum computers by integrating laser systems onto photonic chips. This technology has the potential to enable large-scale quantum computing and make optical clocks portable, with applications in fields such as deep space navigation and GPS.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

Taking a second to change the time

Researchers from Adelaide University review the future of optical atomic clocks, finding them one of the most precise measurement tools ever built. The technology has advanced rapidly over the past decade and is well-positioned to become the gold standard for timekeeping, provided technical challenges are addressed.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalOptica·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 27, 2026

What time is it on Mars? NIST physicists have the answer

Physicists at NIST have calculated the precise time difference between Earth and Mars, taking into account Martian surface gravity and its eccentric orbit. The clocks on Mars will tick 477 microseconds faster per day, affecting future space missions such as navigation and communication.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateDec 1, 2025

How constant is the fine structure constant?

Researchers have utilized a thorium atomic clock to measure the fine structure constant with unprecedented precision, allowing for the investigation of its constancy. The study found that the fine structure constant can be detected three orders of magnitude more precisely than previous methods.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 27, 2025
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

MIT physicists improve the precision of atomic clocks

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to improve the stability of optical atomic clocks by reducing quantum noise and stabilizing a laser. The approach, known as global phase spectroscopy, doubles the precision of an optical atomic clock, enabling it to discern twice as many ticks per second compared to traditional setups.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateOct 14, 2025

New atomic fountain clock joins elite group that keeps the world on time

The new atomic fountain clock, NIST-F4, has been established as one of the world's most accurate timekeepers by NIST researchers. The clock measures a constant frequency in cesium atoms and has improved time signals used billions of times daily for various applications.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMetrologia·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2025

The ticking of thorium nuclear optical clocks

The thorium-229 nuclear optical clock has the potential to achieve a very high-precision time and frequency standard due to its unique properties. Despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain, including temperature sensitivity and the scarcity of the isotope.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 1, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Dialing in the temperature needed for precise nuclear timekeeping

Researchers at JILA have characterized a unique nuclear transition in thorium-229 atoms, which is less sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The study reveals that the transition shifts by only 62 kilohertz across a wide temperature range, making it promising for clock applications.

SourceJILA·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 17, 2025

Microcomb chips help pave the way for thousand times more accurate GPS systems

Researchers have developed microcomb technology to miniaturize optical atomic clock systems, offering significant benefits for navigation, autonomous vehicles, and geo-data monitoring. The new system uses integrated photonics to integrate optical components on tiny photonic chips, reducing size and weight.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2025

New technique to detect dark matter using atomic clocks and lasers

A team of international researchers has developed an innovative approach to detect dark matter by analysing data from ultra-stable lasers connected by fibre optic cables and atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites. They identified subtle effects of oscillating dark matter fields, which were invisible in previous searches.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

On the way to a “new” second

A newly developed ion crystal clock has demonstrated record accuracy, reaching an uncertainty close to the 18th decimal place. This achievement marks a significant step towards redefining the second in the International System of Units (SI), as optical clocks are now 100 times more accurate than current caesium clocks.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

Thorium film could replace crystals in atomic clocks of the near future

A new film made from a thorium precursor could replace crystals in atomic clocks, enabling more accurate time measurements. The film requires much less thorium-229 and is about as radioactive as a banana, paving the way for smaller, more portable, and cheaper nuclear clocks.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature·DateDec 18, 2024

Building a safer and more affordable nuclear clock

Researchers at JILA have created a new method to produce thin films of thorium tetrafluoride, making nuclear clocks thousand times less radioactive and cost-effective. The successful use of this technology marks a potential turning point in the development of nuclear clocks.

SourceJILA·JournalNature·DateDec 18, 2024

Researchers take broadband high-resolution frequency combs into the UV

Researchers have developed a new ultrafast laser platform that generates ultra-broadband ultraviolet (UV) frequency combs with an unprecedented one million comb lines. This achievement provides exceptional spectral resolution and could enhance high-resolution atomic and molecular spectroscopy. The new approach also produces extremely a...

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateOct 31, 2024

'Squeezing' increased accuracy out of quantum measurements

Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully applied quantum squeezing to enhance the accuracy of measurements in complex quantum systems. By reducing uncertainty in one aspect while increasing it in another, they can measure variables like position and momentum with greater precision.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateSep 30, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Towards the realization of compact and portable nuclear clocks

Researchers from Okayama University successfully controlled the population of the thorium-229 isomeric state using X-rays, a crucial step towards building a compact and portable nuclear clock. This achievement demonstrates the potential for nuclear clocks to advance fundamental physics research and other applications such as GPS systems.

SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2024

The world's first nuclear clock

Scientists at TU Wien and JILA/NIST have successfully created the world's first nuclear clock, leveraging thorium atomic nuclei to achieve ultra-high precision measurements. The breakthrough combines a high-precision optical atomic clock with a high-energy laser system, setting the stage for future improvements in precision.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

World’s most accurate and precise atomic clock pushes new frontiers in physics

Researchers at JILA have built an atomic clock that is more precise and accurate than any previous clock, enabling pinpoint navigation in space and searches for new particles. The clock's high precision could reveal hidden underground mineral deposits and test fundamental theories like general relativity with unprecedented rigor.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 1, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Streamlined microcomb design provides control with the flip of a switch

Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a new microcomb laser design that provides low power efficiency, high tunability, and easy operation. The simplified approach enables direct control over the comb with a single switch, opening up potential applications in telecommunications systems, LiDAR for autonomous vehicles.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 22, 2024

What is "time" for quantum particles?

Physicists from TU Darmstadt propose a new approach to define and measure the time required for quantum tunneling. They suggest using Ramsey clocks, which utilize the oscillation of atoms to determine the elapsed time. The proposed method may correct previous experiments that observed particles moving faster than light during tunneling.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

Atomic nucleus excited with laser: a breakthrough after decades

Physicists have achieved a breakthrough by exciting thorium atomic nuclei with lasers for the first time, enabling precise tracking of their return to original energy states. This discovery has far-reaching implications for precision measurement techniques, including nuclear clocks and fundamental questions in physics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2024
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Milestone for novel atomic clock

Researchers at DESY and European XFEL developed a new generation of atomic clocks using scandium, enabling unprecedented precision. The team detected an extremely narrow resonance line in the element's nucleus, which enables accuracy of one second in 300 billion years.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2023

Paving the way for advanced quantum sensors

Scientists at the University of Innsbruck improved atomic clock accuracy by using finite-range interactions to create entanglement, reducing measurement errors by roughly half.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Dark matter remains “dark”

Researchers at PTB used a sensitive atomic clock to compare with two other clocks, searching for oscillations signature of ultralight dark matter. No significant signal detected, setting new experimental upper limits on the coupling of ultralight matter to photons.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 23, 2023

NIST lays groundwork for future ultra-precise timing links to geosynchronous satellites

Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a capability to transmit extremely precise time signals through the air between far-flung locations, paving the way for ultra-precise timing links with geosynchronous satellites. The method enables time synchronization with femtosecond precision and robustness in atmospheric disturbances.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Navigating underground with cosmic-ray muons

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new navigation system using cosmic-ray muons, which can accurately determine position in underground environments. The MuWNS system uses time synchronization to achieve accuracy comparable to single-point GPS positioning aboveground.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2023

Keeping time with an atomic nucleus

Researchers have characterized the excitation energy of thorium-229 with great precision, a crucial step towards creating the first nuclear clock. The nuclear clock would register forces inside the atomic nucleus, enabling scientists to delve deeper into fundamental physical phenomena.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature·DateMay 25, 2023
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Entangled pairs get sensitive very fast

Researchers develop new way to generate squeezing that overcomes fundamental quantum imprecision, enabling more precise atomic clocks and improved quantum sensors. The new approach leverages bosonic pair creation and enables entangled states with minimal fuss, reducing experimental challenges.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2023

World's first optical atomic clock with highly charged ions

Scientists at PTB have developed an optical atomic clock using highly charged argon ions, achieving a measurement uncertainty comparable to existing clocks. The breakthrough uses advanced techniques to isolate and study highly charged ions, enabling new research opportunities in particle physics and beyond.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2022

TV series Snowpiercer’s ‘eternal engine’ inspires the next generation of ultraprecise atomic clocks

Researchers at the University of Sussex have created an 'eternal engine' to keep next-generation atomic clocks ticking, enabling portable versions that can replace existing satellite navigation systems. The breakthrough uses microcombs and self-emergence technology to ensure stable operation in various conditions.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2022
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Next generation atomic clocks are a step closer to real world applications

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a transportable optical clock system that addresses key barriers to deploying quantum clocks in real-world settings. The new design can capture nearly 160,000 ultra-cold atoms within an ultra-high vacuum chamber and survive long-distance transportation, paving the way for wides...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Keeping time with the cosmos

The cosmic time synchronizer uses cosmic rays from deep space to detect specific signatures, allowing devices to synchronize their clocks accurately. This technology has the potential to fill gaps in current time synchronization methods, particularly in remote or underwater locations.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Quantum sensors: Measuring even more precisely

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have developed a programmable quantum sensor that can measure with even greater precision, using tailored entanglement to optimize performance. The sensor autonomously finds its optimal settings through free parameters, promising a significant advantage over classical computers.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2022

Ultraprecise atomic clock poised for new physics discoveries

Researchers at UW-Madison have developed an ultra-precise atomic clock that can measure time differences to a precision equivalent to losing one second every 300 billion years. By using a 'multiplexed' optical clock design, the team was able to test ways to search for gravitational waves and detect dark matter with unprecedented accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2022

JILA atomic clocks measure Einstein's general relativity at millimeter scale

Physicists have measured Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity at the smallest scale ever, demonstrating time dilation effects between two tiny atomic clocks separated by just a millimeter. The experiments suggest a way to make atomic clocks 50 times more precise than today's best designs.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Ultraprecise atomic clock poised for new physics discoveries

Researchers develop multiplexed optical lattice atomic clock, achieving unprecedented precision and enabling new physics discoveries, including testing gravitational waves and detecting dark matter. The clock's performance surpasses expectations, allowing for longer experiments and potential applications in real-world settings.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2022

Quantum algorithms bring ions to a standstill

Researchers have successfully cooled a pair of highly charged ions to an unprecedentedly low temperature of 200 µK using quantum algorithms. This achievement brings the team closer to building an optical atomic clock with highly charged ions, which could potentially be more accurate than existing clocks.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2021

Atom laser creates reflective patterns similar to light

Researchers at Washington State University have created a technique to observe matter wave caustics in atom lasers, resulting in curving cusps or folds. These findings have potential applications for highly precise measurement and timing devices, including interferometers and atomic clocks.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

JILA's bigger and better 'tweezer clock' is super stable

Researchers have successfully boosted the signal power of their atomic 'tweezer clock', measuring its performance for the first time. The upgraded clock platform achieved record-breaking quantum coherence, with individual atoms vibrating in unison for over 30 seconds.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateDec 16, 2020

New type of atomic clock keeps time even more precisely

Researchers at MIT have designed an atomic clock that measures the vibrations of entangled atoms, achieving four times faster precision than current state-of-the-art clocks. This breakthrough enables scientists to detect phenomena like dark matter and gravitational waves, while also shedding light on gravity's impact on time.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateDec 16, 2020

Advanced atomic clock makes a better dark matter detector

Researchers used a state-of-the-art atomic clock to narrow the search for elusive dark matter, setting new limits on ultralight dark matter's coupling strength. The study established constraints on the floor of normal fluctuations, providing sensitivity to cosmological models of dark matter and accepted physics theories.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 12, 2020

Signals from distant stars connect optical atomic clocks across Earth for the first time

Researchers have successfully connected two optical atomic clocks in Italy and Japan, separated by 8700 km, using radio telescopes observing distant stars. This achievement could provide a global infrastructure for high-precision timekeeping and unlock new possibilities for studying fundamental physics and general relativity.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 8, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

NIST researchers boost microwave signal stability a hundredfold

Researchers at NIST have developed a technology that boosts the stability of microwave signals 100-fold, enabling more accurate time dissemination, navigation, and imaging. The new method uses advanced atomic clocks and frequency combs to transfer optical clock stability to the microwave domain.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateMay 21, 2020

New POP atomic clock design achieves state-of-the-art frequency stability

Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a pulsed optically pumped (POP) atomic clock with unprecedented frequency stability of 4.7 × 10−15 at 10^4 seconds. The new design overcomes challenges in temperature control and barometric effects, ensuring accuracy for global navigation and communication services.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 21, 2020

Long-distance fiber link poised to create powerful networks of optical clocks

Researchers in Japan have developed a low-noise fiber link to connect high-precision clocks, enabling the creation of powerful networks for applications like earthquake detection and communication systems. The system uses a cascaded link with ultralow-noise laser repeater stations to minimize noise and stabilize the laser signal.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateMar 17, 2020

'Tweezer clock' may help tell time more precisely

Researchers have developed a new optical atomic clock called the 'tweezer clock' that uses laser tweezers to manipulate individual atoms. This design combines the advantages of two existing approaches, offering improved accuracy and precision, and paving the way for advances in fundamental physics research and new technologies.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateDec 23, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

JILA's novel atomic clock design offers 'tweezer' control

The new clock platform combines near-continuous operation with strong signals and high stability, featuring unique possibilities for enhancing clock performance. Preliminary data suggest the design is promising, with the tweezer clock providing self-verifying performance 96% of the time.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateSep 12, 2019