Scientists have developed a prototype of the world's most accurate clocks, leveraging nuclear processes within atoms. This groundbreaking advancement, based on thin films of thorium tetrafluoride, promises to revolutionize time measurement.
Currently, atomic clocks, which track energy transitions at the electron level, hold the title for precision. However, nuclear clocks operate at the atomic nucleus level, where processes are significantly more stable and less affected by external factors such as temperature and pressure. This characteristic makes nuclear clocks exponentially more accurate.
Previously, such clocks remained in the experimental phase due to the necessity of costly and radioactive materials—specifically, the isotope thorium-229. Researchers have now discovered a method to make these clocks safer and more affordable.
By utilizing thin films containing thorium-229, scientists heated thorium tetrafluoride until it vaporized, subsequently depositing it onto a special transparent substrate. The resulting layer measures just 100 nanometers thick, thinner than a human hair.
This technology allows for the use of minuscule amounts of thorium, rendering the clocks a thousand times less radioactive and significantly more feasible for production.
These clocks could find applications in fields requiring precise timing down to billionths of a second, such as telecommunications and navigation systems. The new method has reduced the amount of radioactive material needed, making the manufacturing of such devices cheaper and safer.
Researchers are currently focused on enhancing the technology further. A primary goal is to improve the stability of the thin films, aiming for even greater accuracy in clock performance. Scientists are optimistic that, one day, these clocks could become portable and extend beyond laboratory settings. Their precision may enhance communication systems, improve GPS navigation reliability, and potentially unveil new laws of physics.