For many years, cesium atomic clocks have been reliably keeping time around the world. But the future belongs to even more accurate clocks: optical atomic clocks. In a few years' time, they could change the definition of the base unit second in the International System of Units (SI). It is still completely open, which of the various optical clocks will serve as the basis for this.

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Researchers at PTB and NIMT have developed a new optical atomic clock using ytterbium-173 ions that could combine the high accuracy of single-ion clocks with the improved stability of multi-ion systems. The isotope's unique nuclear properties enable simultaneous control of multiple ions while maintaining precise measurements through a long-lived excited state. This advancement has implications for redefining the SI second, quantum computing applications through multi-qubit systems, and fundamental nuclear physics research.

Innovative optical atomic clock could combine single-ion accuracy with multi-ion stability

Potential and implications of ytterbium-173 clocks