A solid-state atomic frequency standard

atomic clocks;crystal oscillators;frequency control;frequency standards

White, Christopher John ; Hajimiri, Ali

University:California Institute of Technology

Department:Engineering and Applied Science

关键词: atomic clocks;    crystal oscillators;    frequency control;    frequency standards;   

Others  :  https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/5197/1/thesis_ch1.pdf

美国|英语

来源: Caltech THESIS

【 摘 要 】

The thesis describes a new class of frequency reference. The frequency source uses the same operating principle as a passive atomic frequency standard; however, the device is entirely solid-state, removing many cost and reliability issues associated with gas-phase atomic clocks. More specifically, the "atomic resonance" is derived from zero-field magnetic resonance transitions of the vanadium ion in a cubic crystal lattice. The characteristics of these resonances will be described in detail. The apparatus for measuring the "atomic" resonances uses a radio-frequency resonant cavity and frequency discriminator circuit. Using integrated circuits, the radio-frequency signal processing functions can be implemented at very low cost in a reliable manufacturing process. We discuss the system design and the measurement sensitivity. Advantages of the new frequency reference may include immunity to vibration and reduced aging compared to crystal oscillators.