Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) have created a groundbreaking microchip that can convert light into microwaves, revolutionizing the measurement of time. This discovery has the potential to greatly enhance GPS systems, mobile communications, the Internet, and the accuracy of radars.
Technologies relying on precise time measurement and communication will benefit from the reduction of phase jitter, which are small random changes in microwave signal timing. NIST researchers have managed to decrease the jitter to an impressive 15 femtoseconds, a fraction equivalent to one quadrillionth of a second.
The new NIST chip for converting light into microwave signals surpasses traditional microwave sources, offering increased stability and accuracy in signals. This advancement can enhance radar sensitivity, improve analog-to-digital converter accuracy, and produce clearer astronomical images through telescope arrays.
Notably, the compact size of the new NIST technology sets it apart. Previously, a desktop-sized system was required to achieve these results, but the research team has condensed many components into a chip comparable in size to a camera memory card. The reduced size and energy consumption make this technology more practical for everyday device use.