First Nuclear Clock Successfully Operates, Marking a Milestone

WHO:

Gizmodo - Two independent teams based in Europe and China, including researchers from Tsinghua University and the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology.

Gizmodo - Eric Hudson from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Andrei Derevianko from the University of Nevada, Reno contributed to related research.

Phys.org - Beichen Huang and colleagues at Tsinghua University; Luca Toscani De Col and colleagues at the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology.

WHAT:

Gizmodo - The first set of results from experiments using an atomic nuclei clock based on crystals of calcium fluoride containing thorium-229 was reported.

Phys.org - The nuclear clocks developed by the teams exploit the nucleus of a thorium-229 atom to keep time with extraordinary precision.

Gizmodo - The nuclear clock already outperformed all atomic clocks in certain types of measurements, according to Thorsten Schumm.

WHERE:

Gizmodo - The experiments were conducted in Europe and China.

Phys.org - Research conducted at Tsinghua University in China and the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology in Austria.

WHEN:

Gizmodo - The recent demonstrations build upon work from 2024 and 2025.

Gizmodo - The research papers are available as a preprint on arXiv.

WHY:

Gizmodo - The goal of developing nuclear clocks is to create better timekeepers that are less sensitive to environmental disturbances.

Gizmodo - Ultraprecise clocks are vital for smooth navigation, communications, and international timekeeping.

HOW:

Gizmodo - The nuclear clock operates by using lasers to induce transitions between two different states of thorium-229.

Gizmodo - The recent demonstrations implement a feedback loop that stabilizes the clock’s operations, representing an improvement from previous work.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 21:36 UTC)

Researchers from Tsinghua University in China and the Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology in Europe have reported the first results from experiments using an atomic nuclei clock based on crystals of calcium fluoride containing thorium-229. This nuclear clock has already outperformed all atomic clocks in certain measurements, showcasing its potential for creating better timekeepers that are less sensitive to environmental disturbances. The goal of these ultraprecise clocks is to enhance navigation, communications, and international timekeeping, with recent demonstrations implementing a feedback loop that stabilizes the clock’s operations.