Atomic frequency clock systems and methods
US7965148B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG04F5/145
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
One embodiment of the invention includes an atomic clock system including an alkali beam cell and an interrogation system configured to generate an optical pump beam and at least one optical probe beam that illuminate a detection chamber of the beam cell to pump evaporated alkali metal atoms. An optical detection system can provide a microwave signal to the detection chamber and can measure an intensity of the optical pump beam to determine a transition frequency corresponding to optimum photon absorption of the evaporated alkali metal atoms. A photodetection system can measure an intensity of the at least one optical probe beam and to generate an intensity signal that is provided to the optical detection system to substantially cancel Doppler broadening of the transition frequency resulting from non-orthogonal planar movement of the evaporated alkali metal atoms relative to the optical pump beam and the at least one optical probe beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.