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China develops nuclear optical clock

Chinese researchers have developed a thorium-229 nuclear optical clock, pushing precision timekeeping from electron transitions to transitions inside the atomic nucleus.

Unlike conventional atomic clocks, which use electron transitions as a frequency reference, a nuclear clock uses transitions inside the nucleus. Because the nucleus is less affected by external electromagnetic disturbances, the technology could eventually provide a more stable and practical time standard.

The research was published in the scientific journal Nature on October 7.

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