Atomic pocket watches?

Atomic clocks are the most precise devices for measuring time, fundamental to technologies such as GPS, telecommunications and scientific research. However, until now, these clocks have been large, complex and expensive, limiting their use to laboratories and satellites. Is it possible that one day we will have commercial pocket atomic watches? The answer might surprise you.

What is an atomic clock and why is it so accurate?

An atomic clock measures time based on the oscillations of atoms. The most common, such as cesium or rubidium, use the natural vibration of these atoms as a reference. Unlike mechanical or electronic clocks, which can drift by several seconds a day, atomic clocks are extraordinarily accurate, drifting by just one second every hundreds of millions of years.

This precision is essential for systems such as:

• GPS: Satellites need precise timing to determine exact locations.
• Telecommunications: High-speed data transfer depends on precise time synchronization.
• Scientific research: Experiments in quantum physics and astrophysics require extremely exact measurements.

Why don’t we have atomic pocket watches?

There are several reasons why atomic clocks are not yet everyday devices:

1. Size: The first atomic clocks took up entire rooms. Although miniaturization has advanced, they are still larger than a wristwatch.
2. Cost: Making an atomic clock requires advanced technology, which makes its production more expensive.
3. Energy consumption: Traditional atomic clocks require stable and considerable energy sources to operate.
4. Complexity: Their operation depends on controlled conditions, such as specific temperatures and magnetic isolation.

(Photo: NIST)

Progress towards miniaturization

In the last decade, significant advances have been made that bring atomic clocks closer to everyday use:

• Miniaturized atomic clocks: In 2011, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed NIST-F2, a compact chip-sized atomic clock designed for mobile applications.
• New materials and techniques: The use of rubidium atoms and more efficient lasers has allowed the size and energy consumption of these devices to be reduced.
• Integration into portable devices: Prototypes of atomic clocks have been manufactured that are small enough to be integrated into portable devices such as drones or autonomous vehicles.

How would our lives change with atomic pocket watches?

Having an atomic clock in your pocket would not only be a symbol of precision, but also a revolutionary change in many areas:

1. More accurate GPS: With a wearable atomic clock, navigation devices could provide locations with millimeter precision, improving everything from logistics to sports.
2. Quantum communication: These clocks would be crucial for ultra-secure communication networks based on quantum technologies.
3. Universal Sync: The coordination of global activities, from financial transactions to electrical networks, would be significantly optimized.
4. Personal scientific exploration: Scientists, engineers, and even hobbyists could conduct advanced experiments without the need for massive equipment.

When can we buy them?

Although there is still no exact date for the mass commercialization of atomic pocket watches, advances in miniaturization and cost reduction are promising. Currently, miniaturized atomic clocks, such as the CSAC (Chip-Scale Atomic Clock), are already available on the market, although their price exceeds $1,500. It is expected that in the next two decades, mass production and new technologies will make them accessible to the general public.