Core Viewpoint - The NIM-Sr1 strontium atomic optical lattice clock developed by the China National Institute of Metrology has officially been approved to calibrate International Standard Time, marking a significant milestone in China's optical clock research and enhancing its influence in the international time frequency research field [1][2]. Group 1: Technological Advancements - The NIM-Sr1 clock can achieve precision of up to tens of billions to hundreds of billions of years without error, which is a substantial improvement over the cesium atomic clocks that are accurate to only a few hundred million years [1]. - The successful calibration of the NIM-Sr1 clock signifies a transition from "single-core traction" to "three-engine drive" in China's time frequency standard research, indicating a leap in technological capabilities [2]. Group 2: International Standing - The approval of the NIM-Sr1 clock positions China among the top tier globally in the field of international time frequency standards, reflecting its leadership in this critical area of research [2]. - The calibration data released by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures confirms that the NIM-Sr1 clock passed rigorous evaluations by experts, further solidifying China's standing in the international metrology community [2].

Core Viewpoint - The NIM-Sr1 strontium atomic optical lattice clock developed by the China National Institute of Metrology has been approved to calibrate International Standard Time, marking a significant milestone in China's optical clock research and enhancing its influence in the international time frequency research field [1][2]. Group 1 - The NIM-Sr1 clock can achieve precision of several billion to over a hundred billion years without losing a second, which is set to replace cesium atomic clocks in redefining the time measurement unit "second" [1]. - The International Bureau of Weights and Measures has published calibration data for the NIM-Sr1 clock, confirming its compliance with the rigorous standards set by the International Time Frequency Committee [2]. - The approval of NIM-Sr1 and the new cesium fountain clock NIM6 signifies a major leap for the China National Institute of Metrology, transitioning from a "single-core traction" to a "three-engine drive" model in calibrating international standard time [2]. Group 2 - The three clocks (NIM-Sr1, NIM5, and NIM6) enable China to demonstrate its commitment to international atomic time cooperation while also maintaining the ability to independently calibrate its standard time, ensuring the security and controllability of its time frequency system [2]. - This advancement supports the robust development of quantum technology and the quantum industry in China [2].