1. Introduction:

- India is strategically establishing atomic clocks throughout the nation aimed at synchronising digital devices with the Indian Standard Time (IST).

- The journey of this initiative dates back to over two decades post the Kargil war, intended to safeguard accuracy and uniformity in nationwide timekeeping.

2. What Are Atomic Clocks?

- Atomic clocks are high-precision timepieces that utilise atomic vibrations to quantify time with remarkable precision.

- These devices primarily use caesium or rubidium atoms, serving as stable standards of timekeeping.

- Atomic clocks can sustain accuracy up to a few billionths of a second per day.

- Invented by Louise Essen in 1955, India currently operates atomic clocks in Ahmedabad and Faridabad.

3. Working principle of Atomic Clocks:

- Atomic clocks employ caesium atoms, renowned for their remarkable stability and unique electron oscillation frequency.

- A microwave cavity introduces a microwave signal in the chamber carrying caesium vapour, initiating the atoms to vibrate.

- The atoms, while vibrating, emit radiation of a specific frequency, which is then compared with a standard frequency to regulate the clock's accuracy.

4. Diverse Types of Atomic Clocks

- Cesium Atomic Clocks: Most commonly utilised, they function using the caesium-133 atom's transitions.

- Rubidium Atomic Clocks: A more economical and portable choice, these clocks use rubidium atoms as their reference.

- Hydrogen Maser Clocks: Exhibiting superior accuracy, these clocks are widely used in scientific research, space missions, and satellite navigation systems.

- Optical Atomic Clocks: More precise than conventional atomic clocks, these clocks operate at optical frequencies. They hold potential in redefining the second with greater precision.

5. India's Decision for Atomic Clocks: The Underlying Rationale

- Following constraints on Global Positioning System (GPS) information during the Kargil War, India endeavoured to develop atomic clocks.

- Self-reliance on critical infrastructure like the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC) reduces dependency on foreign atomic clocks, crucial for national security and defence.

- The enhanced accuracy offered by atomic clocks allows all Indian digital devices to be synched with the IST, assuring a highly precise time reference.

6. Impact on Various Sectors

- Telecommunications: Accurate timing ensures error-less data transfer.

- Financial Systems: High-frequency transactions can be time stamped with extreme precision to prevent fraud.

- Navigation Services: The accuracy of domestic atomic clocks can guarantee reliable data in navigation systems like NavIC.

- Cybersecurity: Atomic clocks confirm accurate timestamps, preventing fraud and strengthening cybersecurity measures.

- National Integration: A network of atomic clocks can promote a sense of national unity under the banner of “One Nation, One Time”.

- Critical Infrastructure: Atomic clocks are pivotal in synchronising important infrastructures including power grids and emergency services.