Scientists have made a major breakthrough that takes us a step closer to developing a nuclear clock — a device that keeps time based on the inner workings of atoms.
However, atomic clocks are far from perfect. The electrons they rely on to keep time sit outside atoms. They are therefore vulnerable to interference from stray magnetic fields or other environmental effects that can subtly alter their energy levels, the frequency of laser light they subsequently respond to, and therefore the time they keep.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.A nuclear clock, on the other hand, would use the energy transitions of nuclei inside the heart of an atom, so they are shielded from outside interference. But many of the gaps between nuclei energy levels are thousands of times greater than those for electrons — meaning they are too large to be crossed with the energy of a laser.
The researchers have compared this process to finding the height of a kerb by dropping balls from a skyscraper — the subtle differences in bounce heights when the ball hits the street to when it hits the sidewalk can help them zero in on the small distance between them.