atomic clock
Subatomic precision timer
An atomic clock is a timekeeping device that measures the oscillations of atoms—typically cesium—to achieve extraordinary precision.
Atomic clocks lose less than a second over millions of years, making them the standard for defining the second and synchronizing global systems like GPS: The satellite's atomic clock drifted by a few nanoseconds.
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- cesiumAlkali metal, number fifty-five
- rubidiumAlkali metal, atomic thirty-seven
- frequencyRate of recurrence
metrology · nanoseconds · picoseconds · femtoseconds · stability · exactness · chronometry · measurement
Universal time standard
- time signalAudible clock reference
- time zoneStandard clock region
- epochDistinct historical period
- chronometerPrecision timekeeping instrument
Change from one state
- microwaveRadiation-based kitchen heater
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- quantumSmallest discrete unit
superposition · entanglement · decoherence · wavefunction · energy levels · photon · absorption · emission
Satellite-based location technology
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- triangulationLocation via three points
longitude · latitude · aviation · maritime · spacecraft · synchronization · deep space network · flight control
Cyclic signal generator
- qubitQuantum information unit
- maserMicrowave frequency amplifier
- cryogenicExtremely low temperature
- vacuum chamberEnclosure with removed atmosphere
strontium · ytterbium · miniaturization · DARPA · telecommunications · data centers
accuracy
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- cesiumAlkali metal, number fifty-five
- rubidiumAlkali metal, atomic thirty-seven
frequency · metrology · nanoseconds · picoseconds · femtoseconds · stability · exactness · chronometry · measurement · standards
UTC
Universal time standard
- time signalAudible clock reference
- time zoneStandard clock region
- epochDistinct historical period
transition
Change from one state
- microwaveRadiation-based kitchen heater
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
quantum · superposition · entanglement · decoherence · wavefunction · energy levels · photon · absorption · emission · electron
GPS
Satellite-based location technology
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- positioningArranging in specific locations
triangulation · longitude · latitude · aviation · maritime · spacecraft · synchronization · deep space network · flight control · ephemeris
oscillator
Cyclic signal generator
vacuum chamber · strontium · ytterbium · miniaturization · DARPA · telecommunications · data centers
- chronowatch, timer, stopwatch, sundial, hourglass
- timekeepingwatch, watches, clocks, timer, calendar
- clockswristwatch, pocket watch, digital watch, smartwatch, marine chronometer
- time conceptscalendar, hour, minute, second, week
- standardsstandard, standards, norm, norms, criterion
- timekeeping deviceswatch, timer, stopwatch, hourglass, egg timer
atomic clockmechanical clock
Gear-operated time device
quartz clock · pendulum clock · wind-up clock · grandfather clock · cuckoo clock
atomic clocksundial
Shadow-based timekeeper
rooster crow · gut feeling · rough estimate · circadian rhythm · biological clock
clock, atom, atomic, atoms, atomizer, atomize, subatomic, atomism, atomized