Story perspectives

Quantum Clock Measurements Waste Energy, Challenge Timekeeping Advances

11/15/2025

50 5

Summary

Story summary

University of Oxford researchers find measuring a quantum clock uses up to a billion times more energy than the clock's operation, published November 14, 2025, in Physical Review Letters.
The measurement process increases entropy in quantum timekeeping, challenging the belief that improvements depend only on better systems.
The study suggests prioritizing detection methods, as measurement energy can reveal clock behavior and drive more efficient timekeeping technologies.

1 of 1

Story summary

University of Oxford researchers find measuring a quantum clock uses up to a billion times more energy than the clock's operation, published November 14, 2025, in Physical Review Letters.
The measurement process increases entropy in quantum timekeeping, challenging the belief that improvements depend only on better systems.
The study suggests prioritizing detection methods, as measurement energy can reveal clock behavior and drive more efficient timekeeping technologies.