Atomic Clock Sets Record for Precision

Researchers at NIST unveiled an advanced cesium atomic fountain clock with an astonishing accuracy: off by less than one second every 100 million years. This sets a new record for microwave-based timekeepers, beating previous NIST standards. By refining laser-cooling and microwave detection, scientists minimized uncertainties to around 1×10^(-16). Such precise timekeeping underpins everything from GPS synchronization to fundamental physics experiments. Beyond bragging rights, the breakthrough paves the way for even more accurate next-generation optical clocks.