TOPICSGPS

GPS

NIST researchers test a chip for converting light into microwave signals. Pictured is the chip, which is the fluorescent panel that looks like two tiny vinyl records. The gold box to the left of the chip is the semiconductor laser that emits light to the chip.
Technology

Compact chips could revolutionize navigation, communication, and more

Ashwini Sakharkar

New light-to-microwave converting tech shrinks a tabletop system into a chip-sized format.

NIST's Alexander Staron (left), William McGehee and Gabriela Martinez worked together on a new chip-scale version of an atomic beam clock, a tiny fraction of the size of the original instrument shown here.
Technology

Tiny atomic beam clock brings stable timing to places GPS can’t reach

Ashwini Sakharkar

It could provide better timing over the span of weeks and months compared with current systems.

Image showing navigation
Technology

Scientists used superfast muons to navigate underground wirelessly

Amit Malewar

New technology enables navigation in places GPS can’t reach.

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