Nuclear clocks would follow the same principles, but use the transitions of neutrons and protons inside the nucleus.

核钟将遵循相同的原理，但使用原子核内部中子和质子的跃迁。

If the nuclear clock responds differently, then the theories may need revising.

如果核钟的反应不同，那么理论可能需要修改。

But in a paper recently published in Nature, researchers report being ready to build its successor: the nuclear clock.

但在最近《自然》杂志发表的一篇论文中，研究人员报告称他们已准备好建造它的继任者：核钟。

If an atomic clock fell out of sync with a nuclear clock, for example, some change in the underlying physics might be responsible.

例如， 如果原子钟与核钟不同步，则可能是由底层物理学的一些变化造成的。

The system needs further optimising, but " It's the first demonstration that all the components of a nuclear clock are here, " says Mr Zhang.

该系统需要进一步优化，但张先生表示，“这是首次证明核子钟的所有部件都在这里。”

They are more excited about having two independent ways of measuring time: atomic clocks, which depend solely on the electromagnetic force governing the electrons' movement; and nuclear clocks, which also obey the strong nuclear force.

令他们更为兴奋的是， 有两种独立的计时方式：原子钟，仅依赖于控制电子运动的电磁力；核钟， 也遵循​​强核力。