US 5,192,921 A · Miniaturized atomic frequency standard

Abstract

A cell-type atomic frequency standard utilizing a miniaturized gas cell and microwave exciter along with a diode laser light source. The intensity of the diode laser light source counterbalances the penalties associated with the small gas cell. The signal produced by an oscillator is applied to a vapor within the gas cell by a miniature helix coil, or LC gap conductor, or a microstrip exciter. With the dimensions of the gas cell not exceeding one-half the wavelength of the signal, and the associated circuitry formed on a semiconductor substrate, the resulting frequency standard is reduced in size by two orders of magnitude when compared to prior art devices of comparable accuracy.

Claims30

Dependent claims

An atomic frequency standard comprising:

an oscillator operable to generate a microwave signal;
a gas cell;
a vapor contained in said gas cell;
a conductor connected to said oscillator, said conductor being located sufficiently near said gas cell to operatively couple said microwave signal to said vapor;
a laser diode operable to generate light and positioned such that said light passes through said vapor;
means for detecting said light having passed through said vapor;
means for controlling the frequency of said microwave signal in response to the amount of light detected by said detecting means;
wherein the circumference of said gas cell is no more than one-half the wavelength of said signal.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Miniaturized atomic frequency standard

Life of this patent

Miniaturized atomic frequency standard

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30