A pair of research teams announced the creation of a new type of timekeeper that leverages the energy released by nuclear decay to keep time. The devices, dubbed “nuclear clocks,” were described in a paper published online by Nature on June 22, 2026 (doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01909-7).
The clocks use a small sample of radioactive material whose decay rate is highly predictable. By measuring the frequency of the emitted radiation, the instruments can count time with an accuracy that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, existing atomic clocks. The researchers claim that nuclear clocks could provide a more stable reference for future time‑keeping standards, especially in environments where electromagnetic interference or gravitational effects compromise conventional atomic clocks.
Both teams independently demonstrated the feasibility of the design. One group, based at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, used thorium-229, while the other, from the University of Cambridge, employed a plutonium‑239 source. The devices were able to maintain a time‑keeping precision of better than one part in 10^17 over a 24‑hour period.
The potential applications of nuclear clocks extend beyond everyday timekeeping. They could improve the synchronization of satellite constellations, enhance the precision of deep‑space navigation, and provide a more robust reference for GPS systems. In addition, the use of nuclear decay as a time standard could reduce the reliance on atomic transitions that are susceptible to environmental disturbances.
The researchers cautioned that the technology is still in its infancy. Scaling the devices for commercial use will require overcoming challenges related to radiation shielding, power consumption, and long‑term stability of the radioactive source. Nonetheless, the successful demonstration marks a significant milestone in the quest for ever more accurate timekeepers.
Analysis: While the initial results are promising, the practical deployment of nuclear clocks will depend on resolving safety concerns associated with handling radioactive material. Moreover, the long‑term reliability of a nuclear source compared to laser‑stabilized atomic transitions remains to be proven in real‑world conditions. If these hurdles can be addressed, nuclear clocks may become a cornerstone of next‑generation timing infrastructure.
Sources
– Nature. “The first ticking ‘nuclear clocks’ are here — what can they do?” Published online June 22, 2026. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01909-7
Source: Nature – Original article
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Story synopsis gathered from: Nature — source
