A chronon is a hypothetical concept in theoretical physics intended to describe a quantum of time. It has important implications for quantum mechanics. It allows for a clear answer to the question whether a free falling charged particle does or does not emit radiation, while avoiding the difficulties of met by Abraham-Lorentz's and Dirac's approaches to the problem, and provides a natural explication of decoherence. Theoretical physics employs mathematical models and abstractions, as opposed to experimental physics, in an attempt to understand Nature. ... In physics, a quantum refers to an indivisible, and perhaps, elementary entity. ... For a non-technical introduction to the topic, please see Introduction to Quantum mechanics. ... Dirac is a prototype algorithm for the encoding and decoding (see codec) of raw video and sound. ... Quantum decoherence is the general term for the consequences of irreversible quantum entanglement. ...

P. Caldirola first introduced the chronon in electron theory in 1980, with a paper titled The introduction of the Chronon in the electron theory and a charged-lepton mass formula. Since then, it has been explored more recently by C. Albanese in a recent paper titled Time Quantization and q-deformations, which appeared in the Journal of Physics A. in 2004.

1 chronon corresponds to about 2 * 10^-23 seconds.

The term chronon has also been used in a model to describe the circadian clock, and is also used as a term to describe the shortest duration of time supported by a database management system. It has also been used extensively in science fiction, such as the star trek television series. Circadian rhythm is the name given to the roughly 24 hour cycles shown by physiological processes in plants, animals and cyanobacteria. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Star Trek collectively refers to an American science-fiction franchise spanning six unique television series (which comprise 726 episodes) and ten feature films, in addition to hundreds of novels, computer and video games, fan stories, and other works of fiction — all of which are set within the same fictional universe...

Chronon is also the name of a Flash game by Eyezmaze, in which the goal is to manipulate a scenario at certain points in time so as to reach an ending where a small person in a cage is able to escape.