Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (1) for an atomic clock. The device has a printed circuit board (20), a heating source, and microwave conductor. The printed circuit board (20) includes a conductive piece (10) for both interrogating and heating a gas in a cell of an atomic clock. The piece (10) has a gap (11), and is arranged for containing the cell (2), so as to directly touch the cell (2) in at least one point. The heating source (40, 60) generates heat, and is connected to the piece (10). The microwave conductor (12) is arranged to be connected to the piece (10) so as to send to the piece (10) a microwave signal for interrogating the atoms of the gas in the cell (2). This device performs more than one function (e.g. heating and interrogating) and simplify the manufacturing of the atomic clock.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (1) for an atomic clock, the device comprising:—a printed circuit board (20), said printed circuit board (20) comprising a conductive piece(10) for both interrogating and heating a gas in a cell of an atomic clock, the piece (10) comprising a gap (11), and being arranged for containing the cell (2), and so as to directly touch the cell (2) in at least one point,—a heating source (40, 60) for generating heat, and connected to the piece (10),—microwave conductive means (12) and arranged to be connected to the piece (10) so as to send to the piece (10) a microwave signal for interrogating the atoms of the gas in the cell (2). This device performs more than one function (e.g. heating and interrogating) and simplify the manufacturing of the atomic clock.

Abstract: An inlet arrangement for inserting a preform (3?) into a furnace (1?) for drawing a fiber (2?). The furnace includes an enclosure (4?) at the top of which there are both an opening to allow insertion of a preform which moves in translation, and a preform inlet arrangement (13?). The inlet arrangement comprises both an injector (6?) situated at the level of the opening to inject inert gas around the preform and to fill the enclosure, and at least one seal (17B) fixed above the injector and designed to allow the preform to pass therethrough, with its cylindrical main body (9?) being surrounded. The inlet arrangement further comprises an airlock (13) for closing and sealing the top of the furnace, above the injector, whether a preform is present or absent, which airlock is pressurized to prevent the surrounding air entering. The rods of the equipped preforms carry respective continuity tubes (20) of the same diameter as the bodies.

Abstract: An inlet arrangement for inserting a preform (3′) into a furnace (1′) for drawing a fiber (2′). The furnace includes an enclosure (4′) at the top of which there are both an opening to allow insertion of a preform which moves in translation, and a preform inlet arrangement (13′). The inlet arrangement comprises both an injector (6′) situated at the level of the opening to inject inert gas around the preform and to fill the enclosure, and at least one seal (17B) fixed above the injector and designed to allow the preform to pass therethrough, with its cylindrical main body (9′) being surrounded. The inlet arrangement further comprises an airlock (13) for closing and sealing the top of the furnace, above the injector, whether a preform is present or absent, which airlock is pressurized to prevent the surrounding air entering. The rods of the equipped preforms carry respective continuity tubes (20) of the same diameter as the bodies.