Scientists calibrate the microwave frequency to maximize the number of atoms affected. As it drifts back downward, another laser is pointed at the atoms and detects how many were altered by the microwaves. Next, a pair of vertical lasers push the clumped ball of cesium atoms about a meter upward in the cavity, which is filled with microwave radiation. Inside the device, six powerful lasers are aimed at a gas containing cesium atoms, slowing down their movement and cooling them down to temperatures just millionths of a degree above absolute zero. NIST-F1 is known as a cesium fountain atomic clock because it uses a fountain-like array of lasers to manipulate cesium atoms and detect this frequency as accurately as possible. In 1967, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures officially defined a single second as the time it takes a single cesium atom to transition between energy levels a given number of times-that is, cesium’s natural resonance frequency. This degree of accuracy is achieved by a complex technological setup. The accuracy of NIST-F1 is continuously improving, and as of 2010, scientists calculated that its uncertainty had been reduced to the point that it will neither gain or lose a second over the course of 100 million years. The sophisticated apparatus-known as NIST-F1-is the latest in a line of high-tech atomic clocks and was officially adopted as the U.S.’s time standard in 1999. ![]() Housed at the NIST’s Physical Measurement Laboratory, this is the official atomic clock, and it keeps time for the entire country. This clock’s low-tech appearance conceals an elaborate system for keeping it precisely in tune with what the National Institute of Standards and Technology deems official time: a clock calibrated by the movement of a clump of cesium atoms in Boulder, Colorado. Available widely for as little as $10 or $15, these radio-controlled clocks are increasingly popular, as they adjust automatically to time shifts and will work virtually anywhere in the continental United States. This got us thinking about the clocks that set themselves. It even has USB ports in the back so that you can charge two devices at once.As Daylight Saving s Time approaches, you’ll be seeing many reminders to shift your clocks an hour forward just before going to sleep on Saturday night. Simply set your smartphone down on the top of the player and your phone will instantly start charging – and fast. What sets this model apart is the way it also doubles as a wireless phone charger. It lets you play your favorite discs, while also having the ability to switch to radio or Bluetooth. The Lukasa Tabletop Clock seems like your basic CD player at first glance. Lukasa Tabletop CD Player with Dual Alarm Clock This player won’t overwhelm you with too many buttons, and the digital clock face is sleek and simple (and not to mention dimmable - very important when you’re trying to fall asleep at night).īuy Victrola Bedside Digital LED Alarm… 4. It measures a compact 4 x 8 x 14 inches, and in addition to its top-loading CD player and alarm clock features, this player can stream your music via Bluetooth with a range of up to 33 feet. Reminiscent of an old jukebox or car radio (complete with retro-styled “STEREO” lettering on the front grill), it’s a fun twist on a traditional digital alarm clock. This Victrola fits perfectly on a bedside table while also giving your room a subtle pop of color. Victrola Bedside Digital LED Alarm Clock Stereo ![]() We also love this player for its ability to charge USB devices, an easy way to keep your phone within reach.īuy Jensen Modern Home CD Tabletop $69.90 3. For the mornings when you just need a few more minutes in bed, there’s also the option to snooze. Not only can you set dual alarms, you can also program it to wake up to the radio, your favorite CDs, or an alarm sound. With stereo speakers and a digital clock, Jensen’s tabletop player is both sleek and high-functioning. ![]() Or keep it old school with the built-in AM/FM radio.īuy Crosley Corsair Tabletop Am/FM Radio… $80.70 2. Not only does it double as a dual alarm clock, it also has built-in Bluetooth connectivity that allows you to stream your music wirelessly. Thanks to full-range stereo speakers, it offers the dynamic Crosley sound that has made the brand a favorite among audiophiles, housed inside a Sixties-inspired hub. This CD player may look retro, but its technology is most definitely not. Crosley Corsair Tabletop Am/FM Radio with CD Player and Alarm Clock No matter your aesthetic preferences, these CD player alarm clocks help you have it all: stereo sound, your favorite CDs, and easy mornings.
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