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See you in a zeptosecond!
Scientists have measured the world's smallest unit of time, and it's called the zeptosecond.
It was recorded by a group of scientists at Goethe University, in Germany and published in the Science journal.
They measured how long it takes for a photon to cross a hydrogen molecule - around 247 zeptoseconds - making this measurement the shortest time span EVER to have been successfully recorded.
But just how small is a zeptosecond...?
What is a zeptosecond?
Image source, Getty Images
A zeptosecond is a trillionth of a billionth of a second.
That's a decimal point followed by 20 zeroes and a 1, and it looks like this: 0.000 000 000 000 000 000 001.
The only unit of time shorter than a zeptosecond is a yoctosecond, and Planck time.
A yoctosecond (ys) is a septillionth of a second.
And how do you figure out Planck time?! Divide the minuscule Planck length by the speed of light (which is pretty big) and you get a really tiny unit of time - the Planck time!
How do you measure a zeptosecond?
Image source, Sven Grundmann/Goethe University
The scientists used a particle accelerator machine and a super-powerful laser called the PETRA III.
X-ray energy from the laser blasted a single photon - a particle of light - to knock two electrons out of a hydrogen molecule. (Hydrogen is an element which is part of water and the air we breathe, and has two protons and two electrons.)
The photon bounced one electron out of the hydrogen molecule, and then the other, a bit like a pebble skipping over the top of a pond.
This created a wave pattern, which scientists were able to measure using a Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy (or COLTRIMS for short) microscope.
The whole process took around 247 zeptoseconds - the shortest time to have been successfully recorded - pretty impressive!
The scientists hope this information will be helpful in quantum computing and superconductivity.
Published
11 February 2019
Published
29 January 2019
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the topic, it's fascinating to delve into the cutting-edge realm of time measurement, where scientists are pushing the boundaries of precision. The article published on October 22, 2020, about the discovery of the world's smallest unit of time – the zeptosecond – showcases the remarkable achievements in the field of quantum science.
The groundbreaking research, conducted by scientists at Goethe University in Germany and published in the prestigious Science journal, involves the measurement of the time it takes for a photon to traverse a hydrogen molecule, resulting in an astonishingly brief duration of approximately 247 zeptoseconds. This achievement represents the shortest time span ever successfully recorded, highlighting the unprecedented precision and advancements in experimental techniques.
Now, let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
1. Zeptosecond:
- A zeptosecond is an incredibly short unit of time, measuring a trillionth of a billionth of a second.
- Represented as 0.000 000 000 000 000 000 001, it signifies the minuscule time interval captured by the scientists.
2. Yoctosecond and Planck Time:
- The article mentions that the only unit of time shorter than a zeptosecond is a yoctosecond (ys), which is a septillionth of a second.
- Planck time is introduced as another extremely small unit of time, derived by dividing the Planck length by the speed of light. This yields a remarkably tiny temporal unit – the Planck time.
3. Measurement Methodology:
- To measure the zeptosecond, scientists utilized a particle accelerator machine and a powerful laser named PETRA III.
- The laser emitted X-ray energy, propelling a photon to eject two electrons from a hydrogen molecule, creating a wave pattern.
- The Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy (COLTRIMS) microscope was employed to measure the wave pattern, providing the scientists with the precise temporal information.
4. Practical Implications:
- The article touches upon the potential applications of this research in quantum computing and superconductivity.
- The unprecedented accuracy in time measurement could contribute to advancements in these cutting-edge technologies.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking discovery not only represents a triumph in the pursuit of precision but also opens up new possibilities for understanding and manipulating time on an incredibly small scale. The intersection of quantum science and practical applications in computing and superconductivity is an exciting frontier that promises to reshape the landscape of technological innovation.
