Newswise — Oct. 15, 2015 (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) – An advanced atomic clock will neither gain nor lose a single second over the lifespan of the universe. Why does such incredible precision matter? On Nov. 4, join Nobel Laureate David Wineland as he discusses how atomic clocks – including an emerging breed of laser-based optical clocks – may enable revolutionary new technologies, including ultra-powerful quantum computers.

Wineland’s lecture, titled “Keeping Better Time: The Era of Optical Atomic Clocks,” is part of the Perimeter Institute Public Lecture Series, and will be webcast live Nov. 4 at 7 PM EST on the Perimeter Institute website and via partner organizations.

A co-winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics, Wineland has been a member of the Time and Frequency Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) since 1975, where he is a group leader and NIST Fellow. The long-held goal of his research is to increase the precision of atomic spectroscopy – the measurement of the frequencies of atoms’ characteristic vibrations.

Following his talk, Wineland will answer audience questions from the online and in-house audience – including questions submitted prior to and during the talk via Facebook and Twitter (using the hashtag #piLIVE). Questions are welcomed from everyone – aspiring scientific explorers, school classes, physics buffs, and general science enthusiasts.

Click here to sign up for a reminder to tune-in to the live webcast.

View past PI Public Lectures and events, and find further details about PI’s research, training, and outreach activities at www.perimeterinstitute.ca.

________________________________________LIVE WEBCAST DETAILS• What: David Wineland, Keeping Better Time: The Era of Optical Atomic Clocks• When: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7 pm EST • Where: Live at Perimeter Institute, webcast online at http://www.perimeterinstitute.caClick here to sign up to receive an email reminder about the live webcast• Pose questions for Wineland by tweeting @Perimeter using the hashtag #piLIVE• More info: http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/outreach/general-public/public-lecture-series________________________________________

ABOUT PERIMETER INSTITUTEPerimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:Eamon O’FlynnManager, Media Relationseoflynn[at]perimeterinstitute[dot]ca(519) 569-7600 x5071@Perimeter

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