A rock is a clock: Physicist uses matter to tell time
Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 15:00
in Physics & Chemistry
What is the simplest, most fundamental clock? Physicists have shown that a single atom is sufficient to measure time using its high-frequency matter wave. Conversely, the frequency of matter can be used to define its mass. The feat is a fundamental demonstration of wave-particle duality central to quantum mechanics.