This technology could revolutionize timekeeping with nuclear clocks and test the constancy of fundamental constants.
Exciting electrons with lasers is easy, but neutrons in the nucleus are a tougher target.
Scientists trapped thorium atoms within a special crystal to expose their nuclei to laser light.
By manipulating the laser's energy, scientists were able to excite the thorium nuclei for the first time.
Nuclear clocks could be smaller, more portable, and significantly more accurate than existing atomic clocks. *
Humans struggle to observe the universe's true nature due to our size and limitations.
This research could reveal if fundamental constants like the fine-structure constant actually change over time.
Regardless of the outcome, scientists expect to uncover surprising new knowledge about the universe. *
This technology could revolutionize timekeeping with nuclear clocks and test the constancy of fundamental constants.
The U.S. National Science Foundation provided funding for this groundbreaking research.
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