Context
Scientists from Europe and China have developed the world’s first working nuclear clock prototypes using the thorium-229 isotope, as reported in Nature. These clocks could improve timekeeping accuracy and help scientists study fundamental forces and dark matter.
Explanation
- Atomic clocks measure time using the regular frequency of energy transitions of electrons within atoms. However, external electric and magnetic fields can affect their accuracy.
- Nuclear clocks measure time using energy transitions within an atom’s nucleus instead of its electrons. Since the nucleus is better shielded from external disturbances, these clocks could achieve greater precision.
- Thorium-229 is used because its nucleus requires unusually little energy to change between two energy levels, allowing scientists to trigger the transition using ultraviolet laser light.
- Significance: Nuclear clocks could improve precision timekeeping, satellite navigation and research into dark matter and fundamental physical constants. However, existing prototypes are not yet as precise as the best atomic clocks.
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