NIST researchers have demonstrated Einstein’s theory of relativity at a personal scale using two of the world’s most precise atomic clocks. The clocks, based on aluminum ions, were able to detect time dilation effects at a scale of just 33 centimeters (about 1 foot), confirming that time passes faster at higher elevations and slower when moving at speeds comparable to a car traveling 20 mph.
The clocks, which operate by shining laser light on the ions at optical frequencies, are precise enough to reveal these subtle differences. The research could have practical applications in geophysics and other fields, and NIST scientists hope to improve the clocks’ precision even further.
Keywords: aluminum, ion, precision, relativity
