Laser and lamp integrated pulsed optically-pumped physics packages for atomic clocks
US11190195B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 2020 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S1/06
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A physics package for an atomic clock is provided herein. The atomic clock may include a resonance cell storing alkali vapor having first and second hyperfine ground states and an excited state, a light source to transmit light through the resonance cell at a frequency corresponding to electronic decay from the excited state to the first ground state, and a photodetector to receive light from the light source. The physics package may include a laser, and controller circuitry to, at a first time, allow light from the laser to optically pump the alkali vapor from the first hyperfine ground state to the excited state; and at a second time, allow the photodetector to receive light source light from the resonance cell while inhibiting light from the laser from optically pumping the alkali vapor in the resonance cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.