The newly invented clock is called the strontium optical crystal network clock. The device is capable of measuring time with a precision of up to 19 decimal places. According to researchers, if this clock operates continuously for 30 billion years, the error is only about 1 second.
This work was carried out by a research group at the University of Science and Technology of China. In the new study, scientists have improved the laboratory's strontium optical clock system, helping to achieve high accuracy.
According to Metrologia magazine, the results show that the watch has reached the necessary accuracy for scientists to consider using in redefining the second of the International Unit System (SI).
Currently, the second is defined based on the oscillation of the xesi-133 atom. Since 1967, one second has been defined as 9,192,631,770 oscillations of this atom. However, the atoms on strontium watches oscillate at visible light frequencies with much larger frequencies, about 700 trillion times per second, helping to measure time more accurately.
These super-precise optical clocks not only help improve time measurement capabilities but can also support dark matter research or measure very small changes in the Earth's gravitational field.
According to scientists, to redefine the second, it is necessary to have at least 3 optical clocks with similar accuracy and stability operating at different facilities. Currently, some clocks have reached this threshold, showing that conditions can be met soon.
Decisions related to international measurement units are made at the Joint Conference on Weighing and Measurement (CGPM), held every 4 years. The current goal is to prepare proposals for a new definition of the second to be presented at the CGPM session in 2030.
