Abstract: An avalanche-type detector circuit includes an avalanche-type photon detector device, a coupling capacitor, a bias network, a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The coupling capacitor has a first terminal that is coupled to a first terminal of the avalanche-type photon detector device. A first terminal of the bias network is coupled to the first terminal of the avalanche-type photon detector device, while a second terminal of the bias network is coupled to a bias voltage so that the avalanche-type photon detector device is reverse biased. A first end of the first transmission line is coupled to a second terminal of the coupling capacitor, and second end of the first transmission line is terminated by an open-circuit termination. A first end of the second transmission line is coupled to a second terminal of the avalanche-type photon detector device. The second end of the second transmission line is terminated by a short-circuit termination.

Abstract: An atomic clock system employs one of a family of ion trap configurations confining an ion in a potential well, such that a vibrational frequency confined ion may be measured accurately. The ion traps disclassed for use in such atomic clock systems include configurations of ring-shaped conductive members, or sheets of conductive material having circular holes therein. The trap apparatus further has a means to apply an RF field such that the resulting electric field being generated in a space defined by the conductive members has a characteristic of a substantially quadrupole field whereby a charged particle, being injected into the space, is confined in said field, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium condition.

Abstract: An ion confinement, i.e., trap, apparatus comprises electrically conductive members, including concentric, coplanar rings or parallel sheets separated by dielectric spacers disposed on the outer edges of the sheets, each of the sheets having a circular hole, the circular holes being symmetrically aligned substantially along a common axis. The trap apparatus further has means for applying an RF potential to the conductive members, such that the resulting electric field being generated in the space defined by the conductive members has a characteristic of a substantially quadrupole field. A charged particle, being injected into the space, is confined in the field, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium condition.