Sandi and Symmetricom have joined forces to create an atomic clock no larger than a key-ring.
Before now, commercial atomic clocks have been 100 times larger than this new model and incredibly impractical to use for general purpose.
The handy, new clock is called the CSAC (Chip Scale Atomic Clock) and is 3.8 cm in length, with a minimal 1.3 cm depth.
It owes its dramatic decrease in size to the development of new laser technology, which reduces the CSAC’s power needs to only 100 milliwatts.
Contrary to popular belief, atomic clocks are not based on the application of nuclear physics. Whereas a conventional clock relies on gears and springs to tell time, atomic clocks use lasers to measure the electromagnetic waves produced by cesium atoms.
To prevent the cesium being affected by the Earth’s natural magnetism, the atoms are contained within a two-layered shield of steel.
Atomic clocks are incredibly accurate. Across the length of a day, two clocks will remain within one millionth of a second to each other.
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They are highly reliable, but seeing as the CSAC measures time to such a minute degree – so much so, it doesn’t tell you the time of the day – they’re only for the specialised buyer.
The CSAC really come into their own when GPS signals are blocked for whatever reason. Regular watches can fail in such circumstances, but CSAC clocks would continue to function and maintain their accuracy.
One important military benefit of the CSAC could be for the group of experts, why block electromagnetic and GPS signals to stops IEDs (Improvised Electronic Devices) being triggered by mobile phones.
Those who explore under the surface of the earth and sea could also profit from the CSAC. Miners and deep-sea divers often have to combat natural disruption of GPS signals. Even if teams were split up for long lengths of time, they could guarantee that they all share the same time.
These specialist, but integral, applications of the CRAC is exactly why the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) supplied funding for its development for over ten years, before its unveiling this year.
Amazing to think that, only a century ago, a pendulum clock in France was the keeper of the most precise time on the planet. You wouldn’t want to carry those with you, when disarming insurgent explosives.
The CRAC can be purchased for around £950.
For more information, including details on the technology involved in the CRAC, please visit the Symmetricom website.
Written by Guy, for Swiss Time Machine, provider of quality, used Swiss watches.
Before now, commercial atomic clocks have been 100 times larger than this new model and incredibly impractical to use for general purpose.
The handy, new clock is called the CSAC (Chip Scale Atomic Clock) and is 3.8 cm in length, with a minimal 1.3 cm depth.
It owes its dramatic decrease in size to the development of new laser technology, which reduces the CSAC’s power needs to only 100 milliwatts.
Contrary to popular belief, atomic clocks are not based on the application of nuclear physics. Whereas a conventional clock relies on gears and springs to tell time, atomic clocks use lasers to measure the electromagnetic waves produced by cesium atoms.
To prevent the cesium being affected by the Earth’s natural magnetism, the atoms are contained within a two-layered shield of steel.
Atomic clocks are incredibly accurate. Across the length of a day, two clocks will remain within one millionth of a second to each other.
They are highly reliable, but seeing as the CSAC measures time to such a minute degree – so much so, it doesn’t tell you the time of the day – they’re only for the specialised buyer.
The CSAC really come into their own when GPS signals are blocked for whatever reason. Regular watches can fail in such circumstances, but CSAC clocks would continue to function and maintain their accuracy.
One important military benefit of the CSAC could be for the group of experts, why block electromagnetic and GPS signals to stops IEDs (Improvised Electronic Devices) being triggered by mobile phones.
Those who explore under the surface of the earth and sea could also profit from the CSAC. Miners and deep-sea divers often have to combat natural disruption of GPS signals. Even if teams were split up for long lengths of time, they could guarantee that they all share the same time.
These specialist, but integral, applications of the CRAC is exactly why the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) supplied funding for its development for over ten years, before its unveiling this year.
Amazing to think that, only a century ago, a pendulum clock in France was the keeper of the most precise time on the planet. You wouldn’t want to carry those with you, when disarming insurgent explosives.
The CRAC can be purchased for around £950.
For more information, including details on the technology involved in the CRAC, please visit the Symmetricom website.
Written by Guy, for Swiss Time Machine, provider of quality, used Swiss watches.
Originally posted at Popgive.com.![]()
