How optical clocks are redefining time and physics ⏰️⌛️ Atomic clocks record time using microwaves to measure the frequency of quantum vibrations of electrons. They are the basis upon which a second is defined. But there’s a new kid on the block, the optical clock, which boasts an even higher level of accuracy. Is it time to redefine the second? Tap link to learn more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26635372-500-the-epic-quest-to-redefine-the-second-using-the-worlds-best-clocks/ | New Sc

Atomic clocks use quantum physics and the resonant frequency of atoms, like cesium, to define time with incredible precision. | NOVA l PBS

How atomic clocks measure time more accurately ⌚️ If you apply an electric current to a crystal, it vibrates about 32,000 times a second. This frequency oscillation gives a more accurate measure of time and is the basis of atomic clocks, a technology born from the Second World War. Early atomic clocks vibrated at around 5 billion times a second. Current iterations get to 430 trillion energy transitions per second or more, allowing for far more refined definitions of time. Tap link to learn more:

Atomic clocks have revolutionized how we navigate the globe and stay in sync across time zones. Now, optical atomic clocks are pushing the boundaries even further — achieving mind-bending levels of precision. With the power to redefine the very concept of a “second,” these cutting-edge innovations are transforming navigation, data transmission, and our understanding of space-time itself. Could this unprecedented accuracy in measuring time be the key to unlocking the deepest secrets of the univer