cesium beam clock

A cesium beam clock is a highly accurate timekeeping device that uses the vibrations of cesium atoms to measure time precisely. It works by sending a beam of cesium atoms through a magnetic field, causing them to resonate at a specific frequency when exposed to microwaves. This resonance frequency—9,192,631,770 cycles per second—is used to define the second. Because cesium atoms are stable and their vibrations consistent, cesium beam clocks serve as the primary standard for international timekeeping, ensuring synchronization in systems like GPS, telecommunications, and scientific research.