Temperature control apparatus for controlling metallic vapor pressure in a closed cell
US5082356A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D23/1919
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
By controlling the temperature of a glass reservoir tube attached to a closed vapor cell, the vapor pressure inside the cell can be accurately controlled. The apparatus for controlling the reservoir temperature includes an electric heater, a temperature sensor, heat straps to distribute and remove heat from the reservoir, and a clamp to hold the apparatus in close thermal contact with the exterior of the reservoir. An external control circuit energizes the reservoir heater as required. In the preferred embodiment the vapor cell functions as an optical filter when filled with a heated metallic vapor such as cesium. The reservoir tube functions as the cold spot of the cell and contains a small pool of the metal in liquid form. This invention was made with Government support under N66001-86-R-0050 awarded by the Department of the Navy. The Government has certain rights in this invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.