XUV Comb (IMAGE)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

XUV Comb

Caption

A powerful laser shines into a jet of gas, creating a bright plasma and generating ultraviolet light. The light leaves a visible white line as it interacts with leftover gas in the vacuum chamber. This process helps scientists precisely measure the energy needed to excite the thorium-229 nucleus, which is the core of a future nuclear clock.

Credit

Chuankun Zhang/JILA

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