The world’s most precise clock, which looks like a small fridge, has officially gone on sale in Japan. The Aether Clock OC 020, which costs $3.3 million, was introduced by Kyoto-based maker Shimadzu Corp on Wednesday.
This new strontium optical lattice clock is 100 times more accurate than conventional caesium atomic clocks, which are the current standard for measuring time around the world, Shimadzu says. The Aether Clock OC 020 would only drift by one second in 10 billion years, a new standard in timekeeping technology, according to the company.
Compact and Powerful for Scientific Applications
In contrast to bigger optical lattice clocks, the Aether Clock OC 020 is incredibly small. At only one meter (three feet) in height and 250 liters in volume, it can be used for field studies and scientific purposes. Shimadzu hopes to sell 10 units within three years to researchers and institutions that would like to use accurate time measurement for advanced research.
One of the primary uses of this clock is in tectonic study, where accurate timekeeping can result in improved earthquake prediction. The device is highly accurate and reliable and hence most appropriate for physics experiments, space-time measurement, and even general relativity study.
Optical Lattice Clocks and Space-Time Research
Optical lattice clocks have already been used in record-breaking scientific experiments. For instance, scientists had previously set up one of these clocks in Tokyo’s famous Skytree tower to check Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which states that “time passes more slowly where gravity is strong.”
With the introduction of the Aether Clock OC 020, Shimadzu is leading the way in the most advanced time measurement technology, possibly revolutionizing geophysics, astrophysics, and metrology.
