NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, plays a crucial role in time and frequency measurement, which is essential for organizing daily life, communication, and navigation. The institute provides official time for the United States and operates the country’s most accurate atomic clocks, contributing to the global time scale known as Coordinated Universal Time.
NIST’s research program focuses on developing next-generation optical clocks to redefine the second, the fundamental unit of time. These advanced clocks will enable scientists to achieve unprecedented accuracy and precision, test theories of fundamental physics, and develop compact atomic and microfabricated optical devices for practical applications. The institute’s work in this area has significant implications for various fields, including quantum computing, sensing, and networking.
By controlling atoms with high precision, NIST researchers are advancing quantum technologies. Their developments in frequency sensors can measure greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and detect habitable planets outside the solar system. The advancements in time and frequency measurement have the potential to revolutionize navigation, communication, scientific research, and exploration.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/time-frequency
Keywords: Timekeeping, Frequency, Optical, Atomic, Precision
