Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and JILA have established a new world record for the most accurate clock in the world. This device uses a trapped aluminum ion to measure time with 19 decimal places of precision, setting a new benchmark that supports future efforts to redefine the second. While not a formal industry standard yet, this technology is currently implemented following 20 years of continuous development and testing.
To achieve this stability, the team used a “buddy system” where a magnesium ion helps control the aluminum ion, along with an ultrastable laser to probe the clock for longer periods. Significant engineering upgrades, such as a new titanium vacuum chamber, allowed the system to run for days without interruption, reducing measurement time from three weeks to just 1.5 days. This advancement will enable more precise measurements of Earth’s shape and allow scientists to test if fundamental laws of physics change over time, paving the way for future quantum technologies.
Keywords: optical atomic clock, quantum logic spectroscopy, aluminum ion
