New Atomic Clock Could Redefine the Second

bmahersciwriter writes "The new type of clock, called an optical lattice clock could replace the cesium fountain clocks used as the standard for time keeping. Indeed, it could redefine the second. The cesium fountain is predicted to keep time within one second over 100 million years. While other atomic clocks are better than that, researchers suspect the optical lattice is better still and could one day replace the standard."

Comments

When better isn't better

[Dan East]

While other atomic clocks are better than that, researchers suspect the optical lattice is better still and could one day replace the standard.

So A is better than B, but B is still better than A. Makes sense.

Re:When better isn't better

[grantspassalan]

Behind all this accuracy is on the assumption that the atomic constants, such as Planck's "constant" are truly constant, because all atomic behavior is governed by this. There is evidence that for long periods of time these so-called "constants" have drifted and still are drifting, because they are related to the size of the universe. All the equations for atomic behavior contain a time element as part of these so-called "constants". The equations for gravity on the other hand to not contain any terms referring to time. Gravity clocks and atomic clocks to not run at the same rate, especially over long periods of time. Therefore the supposed of accuracy of these and all atomic clocks is an academic exercise based on faith.