In Vienna and Beijing, the first (thorium) nuclear clocks begin to tick

Scientists have successfully activated the first nuclear clocks using thorium-229, a rare isotope that oscillates at a frequency of 8.525 kHz. These clocks are expected to be more accurate and stable than traditional atomic clocks, which use cesium or rubidium atoms. The new clocks were built using a technique developed by scientists at the Vienna University of Technology and the University of Science and Technology of China in Beijing. The team used a laser to excite the thorium-229 atoms, causing them to emit a precise frequency of light. This frequency is used to regulate the clock's timekeeping. The new clocks have the potential to revolutionize fields such as navigation, telecommunications, and scientific research. They could also be used to improve the accuracy of GPS technology.