The First Nuclear Clock Will Test if Fundamental Constants Change | Quanta Magazine
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An ultra-precise measurement of a transition in the hearts of thorium atoms gives physicists a tool to probe the forces that bind the universe.

An ultra-precise measurement of a transition in the hearts of thorium atoms gives physicists a tool to probe the forces that bind the universe.

  • Drunemeton@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    4 months ago

    It’s that t-229 can have its nucleus excited using far less energy than regular atomic clock nuclei.

    That leads to ultra precise excitation using wavelengths that cancel out some of the fundamental forces within the atom.

    That leads to us being able to monitor at a trillion to one ratio those forces based, in part, on mathematical ‘constants.’ In the excited state we can measure if there’s even the smallest variance in force, which in turn may mean that some ‘constants,’ aren’t.

    However the real testing of that is in the future as they estimate that a 10 trillion to one ratio is needed.

    Theory described a door, research defined the door and possibly what’s behind it, and experimentation just opened the door.