Georgia Tech researchers pursue the perfect clock | News

ATLANTA -- Researchers at Georgia Tech are on the verge of a scientific breakthrough as they work to create the world's first nuclear clock.

PHOTO GALLERY | Nuclear Clock Research at Georgia Tech

"It should be more accurate by a factor of 100 than the best atomic clock that has been realized or even proposed," said Corey Campbell, a research scientist. 

Campbell is working with Physics Professor Alex Kuzmich and graduate research assistant Alexander Ranaev to try to manipulate the nucleus of a trapped ion using lasers.

Finding the right frequency is like looking for a needle in not one, but a million haystacks.

And yet, they are making progress.

"I think it's an honor to be at the right moment at the right place with the right people to do this cool stuff," Radnaev said. "For me, it's very exciting."

Right now atomic clocks are the standard for international time.

They also synchronize satellite systems, like GPS.

The research at Georgia Tech could change that by creating a nuclear clock accurate to within a tenth of a second over 14 billion years.

"It's very special, very extraordinary and could be the best, time-keeping device ever," Campbell said. "I'm hopeful that within the next year, we'll realize such a clock."