Physicists build most accurate atomic clock yet using lutetium-176

Researchers unveiled an atomic clock based on lutetium-176 that is accurate to 19 decimal places, a 41% improvement over the previous record. The results were published Sept. 23 in Nature, and BIPM is expected to redefine the second in 2030.

• Clock accuracy reaches 19 decimal places
• That is a 41% improvement over the previous record
• It tolerates external temperature swings of up to 5 degrees
• BIPM may redefine the second in 2030