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Atomic Wall Clock
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The most accurate clocks in the world. Why? Just like a regular
atomic clock receives a radio signal from the most accurate clock
in the world, the cesium atomic clock, which is transmitted from
the National Institute of Standards in Fort Collins, Colorado. A
atomic wall clock uses an atomic frequency resonance standard as
its counter. Today the best atomic frequency clocks are based on
more advanced physics, as time goes on the technology gets even
more precise—now involving cold atoms and atomic fountains.
The atomic wall clock maintains a continuous and stable time scale,
International Atomic Time. For civil time, there is another time
scale, synchronized with the passing of day and night based on astronomical
observations.
To have an atomic wall clock is an inexpensive luxury. They are
manufactured in all shapes sizes and means of décor. Why
get one? Is the approximate time not good enough? Well, an atomic
wall clock is not a necessity for your home—but it is a great
thing to have one.
Some history:
In August 2004, NIST scientists demonstrated a chip-scaled atomic
clock. According to the researchers, the clock was believed to be
one hundredth the size of any other.
Modern radio clocks are referenced to atomic clocks, and are a
means of getting high-quality atomic-derived time that covers a
wide area and uses relatively inexpensive equipment. However, radio
clocks are not appropriate enough for high-precision, scientific
work.
With an atomic wall clock, you can have that same precision right
there in your home or office.
More on how it works:
Frequency reference masers use glowing chambers of ionized gas,
usually caesium. You see, caesium is the element used in the official
international definition of the second.
The core of the atomic clock is like a microwave cavity, which
contains the ionized gas, a tunable microwave radio oscillator,
and a feedback loop, which is used to adjust the oscillator to get
exact frequency of absorption defined by the behavior of the individual
atoms.
In short, there is little to no room for error. I myself own an
atomic wall clock and I know I can trust it all the time. It is
a cool thing to have, to brag about and to promote to any visitors
that might see it. “You know there is a type of clock that
has the absolutely best accuracy of any other clock in the whole
world?” I might ask them. “Well, I have one of them—it
is right over there.” And I point to my perfect atomic wall
clock on my living room wall.
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