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Lutetium atomic clock hits 19-decimal precision, boosts accuracy 41%

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 10:45 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Singapore's Centre for Quantum Technologies built the world’s most accurate atomic clock using lutetium.
Physicist Murray Barrett led the team that reached 19-decimal-place precision.
The lutetium clock improves accuracy by 41% over the previous record.
It would lose a single second only after more than 260 billion years.
The clock could become the new SI definition of the second by 2030.

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Story summary

Singapore's Centre for Quantum Technologies built the world’s most accurate atomic clock using lutetium.
Physicist Murray Barrett led the team that reached 19-decimal-place precision.
The lutetium clock improves accuracy by 41% over the previous record.
It would lose a single second only after more than 260 billion years.
The clock could become the new SI definition of the second by 2030.