Scientists always want more stability and more accuracy in their atomic clocks, whether for the definition of SI units, precision testing of the laws of physics or for applications that are yet to be dreamt of. Many-atom lattice clocks have shown promise, achieving better precision than clocks based on single trapped ions. But their accuracy has been relatively poor. This study demonstrates a many-atom clock that achieves better accuracy than single-ion-based clocks while also reducing the required measurement time. Based on thousands of neutral strontium atoms trapped in a laser beam, this optical lattice' clock has, say the authors, properties that make it a good prospect as a primary standard.
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