Miniature Atomic Clock

16 Sep 2004

Scientists at the US NIST have announced a startling breakthrough in shrinking the size and weight of a caesium frequency standard. Although its current predicted timekeeping accuracy, at one second over 300 years, remains somewhat poorer than calibration laboratory primary references like the Agilent 5071A, it represents a significant improvement over the quartz oscillator found in many of today's consumer electronics.

The researchers expect the final, battery operated package to be about 1 cubic centimetre in size making it a feasible component for incorporation in cellphones, for example. The superior accuracy, coupled with a GPS receiver, would provide increased navigation accuracy.

• NIST announcement