A cesium fountain clock at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado, serves as a precise frequency reference, not a traditional clock. The device uses supercooled cesium atoms and lasers to induce energy state transitions, which emit light at specific frequencies, allowing scientists to measure time with exceptional precision. By repeatedly fountaining the atoms and measuring the emitted photons, researchers can refine their understanding of atomic behavior, enabling accurate time realization through light wave cadence rather than direct timekeeping.
The cesium fountain clock, despite being a precise instrument, is not a timekeeper but a frequency reference, enabling scientists to measure time through light wave oscillations.
The machine utilizes supercooled cesium atoms, allowing them to float freely while detectors measure photons emitted during atomic transitions, providing a stable temporal reference.
Collection
[
|
...
]