Atoomajamõõteseadmed

Atoomajamõõteseadmed, also known as atomic clocks, are timekeeping devices that use the resonant frequency of atoms to keep time. These devices are the most accurate timekeeping technology known. The fundamental principle behind atomic clocks is the use of the incredibly stable and reproducible oscillations of atoms as a reference for time. Specifically, they rely on the frequency of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed or emitted when electrons in an atom transition between two specific energy levels.

Cesium-133 is the most commonly used atom in atomic clocks. The international definition of the second is based on the transition frequency of cesium-133. One second is defined as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom. Other atoms, such as rubidium and hydrogen, are also used in various types of atomic clocks, each offering different advantages in terms of size, cost, and performance.

Atomic clocks are essential for a wide range of applications that require precise timekeeping. These include global positioning systems (GPS), which rely on the synchronized timing of satellites; telecommunications networks, which need precise synchronization for data transmission; scientific research, such as in fundamental physics experiments and geodesy; and financial trading, where even tiny discrepancies in timing can have significant consequences. The accuracy of atomic clocks has steadily improved over the decades, leading to advancements in technology and our understanding of the universe.