Scientists build the world's most precise clock using an atomic nucleus
Scientists build the world's most precise clock using an atomic nucleus
Updated at: June 12, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Scientists have achieved a monumental breakthrough in the world of timekeeping by developing the first nuclear clock.
For decades, our most precise tools for measuring time have been atomic clocks, which track the vibrations of electrons.
However, because electrons are easily influenced by external magnetic and electric fields, they are susceptible to interference.
To solve this, researchers have turned their focus inward to the atomic nucleus.
By utilizing the Thorium-229 isotope, scientists have created a clock that relies on nuclear transitions rather than electronic ones.
The nucleus is far more compact and resilient, offering a level of stability that could surpass current technology by orders of magnitude.
The key to this success was finding the right energy "switch"—a transition low enough to be triggered by vacuum-ultraviolet lasers.
By moving from the electron cloud to the heart of the atom, we have entered a new era of precision that promises to redefine our understanding of the universe.
