Abstract: An improved system for providing ensemble time from an ensemble of oscillators is provided. The improved system provides an ensemble time definition whose large number of possible solutions for an ensemble time are constrained to a limited number of solutions. In one embodiment, a substantially infinite number of solutions is constrained to a single solution.

Abstract: An improved system for providing ensemble time from an ensemble of oscillators is provided. In the system, a more complete ensemble definition permits a more accurate ensemble time to be calculated. The system takes into account at least weighted time and weighted frequency aspects or weighted time and weighted frequency aging aspects of each oscillator in the ensemble. Preferably, the system takes into account all of the weighted time aspects, weighted frequency aspect, and weighted frequency aging aspects for each oscillator in the ensemble. The weights with respect to each clock can be chosen to be either zero or any positive value such that the sum of the weights for each aspect sum to one. The system can be implemented using a Kalman approach.

Abstract: A system to measure time based on the output of a plurality of clocks employs a common oscillator, rather than a frequency synthesizer. Phase differences between a plurality of clocks are measured by mixing the output from each clock with the output of the common oscillator and detecting the zero crossing of each of the resulting beat signals. The zero crossings are counted and used to start and stop time interval counters, which count the time intervals between zero crossings of the beat signals from different clocks. The output of one of the clocks is used to provide a time base. The output of the first clock is input to a divider, and the divided signal used to start the first of the time interval counters. The number of zero crossings of the divided signal are also counted so that the relative frequency of the common oscillator can be determined. The output of the divider can be synchronized with an external clock.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a dissociator for an atomic hydrogen maser and comprises a dissociation chamber for generating hydrogen atomic capable of being deflected by a state-selecting magnetic field. The dissociation chamber is provided with an inlet opening for molecular hydrogen and an outlet for atomic hydrogen, radio frequency discharge means connected to said chamber and a yieldable member supporting said dissociation chamber and surrounding the same. The outlet acts as a beam-directing device with a wide range of orientations.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained and economical frequency standard uses a passive hydrogen maser to provide an accurate, repeatable, and stable standard frequency. The hydrogen dissociator and microwave cavity of the maser and circuit means coact to reduce the frequency variations possible with prior systems and to promote and emphasize the energy transfer from hyperfine hydrogen atoms to the frequency standard for its stabilization. The dissociator is accurately alignable to transfer its hyperfine hydrogen atoms of a selected state to a microwave cavity; and the microwave cavity is formed by dielectric surfaces which have been coated with a conductive coating in a predetermined configuration to suppress oscillation in undesirable modes.

Abstract: An atomic resonance apparatus of the subject invention comprises means forming a cavity for containing an ensemble of atomic species in a gaseous state at a reduced pressure, said cavity forming means being defined by a container having outer and inner surfaces formed of a dielectric material and comprising the major portion of said container, said inner surface of said container defining a cavity resonator, said cavity resonator having an aperture for axial radial communication from the outer to the inner portions of said container for the introduction and withdrawal of atomic species therefrom, said cavity having a thin coating on its inner surface of an energy state minimizing composition to substantially reduce the interaction of said atomic species with said surface, said container having on its outer surface a thin outer conductive layer of a predetermined configuration, means proximate the end walls of said container for excluding atomic species therefrom, means providing a low intensity magnetic field