The Global Positioning System (GPS), a network of satellites orbiting the planet that we use on a daily basis for emergency response, city navigation, military planning, and other purposes, is primarily based on atomic clocks. Even though it is one of the most accurate timekeeping technologies, it can still be enhanced. Today's scientists are pushing the science forward using a new technology known as optical atomic clocks.
Since it is a naturally occurring, extremely stable atom, cs-133 is widely used in atomic clocks.
The basic ability of all atoms to transition between several energy levels is used by atomic clocks. Energy levels resemble the steps of a ladder. As an atom absorbs energy such as electromagnetic radiation, it moves up the ladder.
The energy required for an atom in a Cs atomic clock to move to a higher energy level corresponds to the frequency of microwave radiation. There is a fully recognized relationship between this frequency and the duration of a second.
This radiation is absorbed by the Cs-133 atoms, which then increase in energy. This transition only occurs when the applied radiation frequency is equal to 9,192,631,770 Hz.
The accuracy of optical atomic clocks is quite high. Although their principles of operation are the same, the resonance frequency in this case is within the optical range. This band of radiation includes ultraviolet and infrared radiation as well as visible light (to humans). Researchers trigger atomic transitions with lasers as part of an optical atomic clock. The light produced by lasers is very coherent because each wave has the same frequency and a stable wavelength relationship with the others. The end product is lighter, more stable, and has more precise characteristics. Optical atomic clocks use coherent light to increase accuracy in two major ways.
How an Atomic Clock Works
Atoms are used to keep time in atomic clocks. Atoms of the cesium isotope Cs-133 are used in one popular design. It was originally implemented by the International Committee for Weights and Measures in 1967 to determine the length of a second. India, too, uses an atomic clock, the Cs-133, to define seconds for timekeeping within its borders.Since it is a naturally occurring, extremely stable atom, cs-133 is widely used in atomic clocks.
The basic ability of all atoms to transition between several energy levels is used by atomic clocks. Energy levels resemble the steps of a ladder. As an atom absorbs energy such as electromagnetic radiation, it moves up the ladder.
The energy required for an atom in a Cs atomic clock to move to a higher energy level corresponds to the frequency of microwave radiation. There is a fully recognized relationship between this frequency and the duration of a second.
This radiation is absorbed by the Cs-133 atoms, which then increase in energy. This transition only occurs when the applied radiation frequency is equal to 9,192,631,770 Hz.
What makes optical atomic clocks unique?
The accuracy of optical atomic clocks is quite high. Although their principles of operation are the same, the resonance frequency in this case is within the optical range. This band of radiation includes ultraviolet and infrared radiation as well as visible light (to humans). Researchers trigger atomic transitions with lasers as part of an optical atomic clock. The light produced by lasers is very coherent because each wave has the same frequency and a stable wavelength relationship with the others. The end product is lighter, more stable, and has more precise characteristics. Optical atomic clocks use coherent light to increase accuracy in two major ways.
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