Frequency standard using hydrogen maser
US4706043A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 1986 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S1/06
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A compact, self-contained and economical frequency standard uses a passive hydrogen maser to provide an accurate, repeatable, and stable standard frequency. The hydrogen dissociator and microwave cavity of the maser and circuit means coact to reduce the frequency variations possible with prior systems and to promote and emphasize the energy transfer from hyperfine hydrogen atoms to the frequency standard for its stabilization. The dissociator is accurately alignable to transfer its hyperfine hydrogen atoms of a selected state to a microwave cavity; and the microwave cavity is formed by dielectric surfaces which have been coated with a conductive coating in a predetermined configuration to suppress oscillation in undesirable modes. The dissociator and microwave cavity thus coact to present within the microwave cavity a maximum obtainable portion of hyperfine hydrogen atoms generated by the dissociator and to enhance the release of and the detection of the energy released by the hyperfine hydrogen atoms at hydrogen resonance frequency. The circuit means reliably lock the carrier frequency generated from the standard frequency of a VCXO at hydrogen resonance frequency rather than one …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.