New algorithm puts time-scrambled data into chronological order

An international team of scientists has developed an algorithm that can put data with large time uncertainty into chronological order. After applying statistical techniques to data obtained with a 300 fs (300 × 10–15 s) timing uncertainty, the team was able to describe the laser-driven explosion of a nitrogen molecule with 1 fs resolution – an improvement in time resolution of two orders of magnitude. Because the algorithm is based on statistics, it could potentially be applied to other disciplines with timing uncertainty, such as climate science and astronomy.