Are Atomic Clocks Affected by Ambient Temperature?

[Zman]

Are atomic clocks such as the NIST-F1 Cesium Fountain Atomic Clock

http://tf.nist.gov/cesium/fountain.htm"

sensitive to the ambient temperature

Or do they keep very accurate time regardless of the ambient temperature?

 

[mgb_phys]

They aren't affected by the outside temperature, but their ultimate precision does depend on temperature. The atoms used are heated to form a gas and because of the temperature the lines of atomic transitions are slightly broadened - some newer designs use atoms held (almost) motionless at low temperatures in laser traps to improve the accuracy.

 

[astrokreng]

Atomic clocks, such as the NIST-F1 Cesium Fountain Atomic Clock, are not significantly affected by ambient temperature. These clocks use the oscillation frequency of atoms to keep time, rather than relying on external factors such as temperature. This makes them incredibly precise and accurate, with a margin of error of only one second in 100 million years. The NIST-F1 clock, in particular, is designed to maintain its accuracy even in fluctuating temperatures. Its internal components are carefully controlled and insulated to minimize any potential effects of temperature on its performance. Therefore, we can confidently say that atomic clocks are not sensitive to ambient temperature and can keep accurate time regardless of external factors.