NIST researcher Alejandra Collopy is developing a new atomic clock based on strontium ions to improve the accuracy of NIST’s ensemble of atomic clocks. The new clock will measure the frequency difference between two energy levels of the strontium ion, allowing researchers to compare it with other clocks in the ensemble. This will help maintain precise timekeeping for the entire country.
The strontium ion clock is part of a worldwide effort to redefine the scientific definition of the second, currently based on the cesium atom, to enable even more accurate atomic clocks for international timekeeping. Atomic clocks play a crucial role in society and the economy, particularly for precise timekeeping needs like the stock market.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2025/01/spotlight-alejandra-collopy-and-atomic-clocks
Keywords: strontium, ion, frequency
