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Atomic Clocks Set Stability Record

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GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 23, 2013 — At the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a pair of experimental atomic clocks based on ytterbium atoms has set a new record for stability. Acting like 21st-century pendulums, the clocks have perfect timing and could, potentially, swing back and forth with precise ticks for a period comparable to the age of the universe. NIST physicists report that the tick of the ytterbium clocks is more stable than that of any other atomic clock, with each tick matching every other tick to within less than two parts in one quintillion (10-18). This is roughly 10 times more...Read full article

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    Published: August 2013
    Glossary
    atomic clock
    An atomic clock is a highly precise timekeeping device that uses the vibrations or oscillations of atoms as a reference for measuring time. The most common type of atomic clock uses the vibrations of atoms, typically cesium or rubidium atoms, to define the length of a second. The principle behind atomic clocks is based on the fundamental properties of atoms, which oscillate at extremely stable and predictable frequencies. The primary concept employed in atomic clocks is the phenomenon of...
    AmericasAndrew Ludlowatomic clockBasic Sciencegravity measurementmagnetism measurementMarylandNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyNISTOpticsResearch & TechnologySensors & Detectorstemperature measurementTest & Measurementtimekeepingytterbium atomsLasers

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