Molecular Resonance Stabilization Patents (Class 331/3)
  • Patent number: 11960247
    Abstract: According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an atomic clock and methods of forming and/or using an atomic clock are disclosed. In one embodiment, an atomic clock includes: a light source configured to illuminate a resonance vapor cell; a narrowband optical filter disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and arranged such that light emitted from the light source passes through the narrowband optical filter and illuminates the resonance vapor cell. The resonance vapor cell is configured to emit a signal corresponding to a hyperfine transition frequency in response to illumination from the light source, and a filter cell is disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and configured to generate optical pumping. An optical detector is configured to detect the emitted signal corresponding to the hyperfine transition frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Svenja Knappe, Sean Krzyzewski
  • Patent number: 11914188
    Abstract: An atom trap integrated platform (ATIP) comprises a substrate, a membrane, and a suspended waveguide. The substrate has an opening formed therein. The membrane extends across a portion of the substrate opening. The suspended waveguide is formed on the membrane such that the suspended waveguide extends from a first edge of the substrate to a second edge. A magneto-optical trap (MOT) is formed around the suspended waveguide by emitting a plurality of cooling beams and a repump through the substrate opening. Evanescent fields are established above the suspended waveguide by coupling two trapping beams through the suspended waveguide, which trapping beams are red-detuned and blue-detuned with respect to the resonant optical transition of the atoms. By forming the MOT within the evanescent fields, an evanescent field optical trap (EFOT) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Jongmin Lee, Michael Gehl, Grant Biedermann, Yuan-Yu Jau, Christopher T. DeRose
  • Patent number: 11796967
    Abstract: In a clock apparatus, a signal waveguide includes: a gas cell having a sealed interior; and a dipolar gas inside the sealed interior. A first apparatus is configured to provide a first electromagnetic wave through the sealed interior along a first direction. A second apparatus is configured to provide a second electromagnetic wave through the sealed interior along a second direction, in which the second direction is opposite the first direction. Also, the clock apparatus includes receiving apparatus coupled to the signal waveguide and configured to detect an amount of energy in the second electromagnetic wave passing through the dipolar gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Juan Alejandro Herbsommer, Argyrios Dellis, Adam Joseph Fruehling
  • Patent number: 11777614
    Abstract: A system for a Rydberg atom based quantum communications transceiver is provided. The system may include a laser source for generating a photon. The system may also include one or more optical elements to create a pair of entangled photons from a generated photon, wherein the pair of entangled photons comprises a first entangled photon and a second entangled photon. The system may further include a radio-frequency (RF) based element to generate a quantum communication path from the pair of entangled photons by creating two Rydberg atom vapor cells (RAVC) that are entangled such that entangled photons may transfer or communicate their entangled state to Rydberg atoms within the Rydberg atom vapor cells (RAVCs) and form at least one entangled link with the other, the communication path comprising the least one entangled link. The system may also include one or more photon receivers, which may use at least one translation technique, to translate entangled state of each of the Rydberg atom vapor cells (RAVC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Darren Scott Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11750203
    Abstract: Methods of using vapor cells may involve providing a vapor cell including a body defining a cavity within the body. At least a portion of at least one surface of the vapor cell within the cavity may include at least one pore having an average dimension of about 500 microns or less, as measured in a direction parallel to the at least one surface. A vapor pressure of a subject material within the cavity may be controlled utilizing the at least one pore by inducing an exposed surface of a subject material in a liquid state within the at least one pore to have a shape different than a shape the exposed surface of the subject material in a liquid state would have on a flat, nonporous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert Lutwak
  • Patent number: 11750204
    Abstract: This atomic resonator for causing a resonance frequency by CPT resonance includes: a gas cell having alkali metal atoms enclosed; a photodetector configured to detect light having passed through the gas cell and convert the light to an electric signal; a high-frequency oscillator configured to receive the electric signal and output the signal after a frequency thereof is divided by two; and a laser light source configured to modulate and introduce, into the gas cell, light based on the signal output from the high-frequency oscillator. The high-frequency oscillator has an injection-locked frequency divider circuit including an acoustic resonator as an oscillation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Motoaki Hara, Yuichiro Yano, Masatoshi Kajita, Tetsuya Ido, Hiroyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 11718761
    Abstract: Some variations provide an atomic vapor-cell system comprising: a vapor-cell region configured with vapor-cell walls for containing an atomic vapor; and a coating disposed on at least some interior surfaces of the walls, wherein the coating comprises magnesium oxide, a rare earth metal oxide, or a combination thereof. The atomic vapor-cell system may be configured to allow at least one optical path through the vapor-cell region. In some embodiments, the coating comprises or consists essentially of magnesium oxide and/or a rare earth metal oxide. When the coating contains a rare earth metal oxide, it may be a lanthanoid oxide, such as lanthanum oxide. The atomic vapor-cell system preferably further comprises a device to adjust vapor pressure of the atomic vapor within the vapor-cell region. Preferably, the device is a solid-state electrochemical device configured to convey the atomic vapor into or out of the vapor-cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Roper, Adam F. Gross
  • Patent number: 11677406
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes a package substrate having a device side surface and a board side surface opposite the device side surface, a physics cell mounted on the device side surface having a first end and a second end, a first opening extending through the package substrate and lined with a conductor, aligned with the first end, a second opening extending through the package substrate and lined with the conductor, aligned with the second end, a millimeter wave transmitter module on the board side, having a millimeter wave transfer structure including a transmission line coupled to an antenna aligned with the first opening, and a millimeter wave receiver module mounted on the board side surface of the package substrate and having a millimeter wave transfer structure including a transmission line coupled to an antenna for receiving millimeter wave signals, aligned with the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Juan Alejandro Herbsommer, Nikita Mahjabeen, Hassan Omar Ali, Meysam Moallem
  • Patent number: 11543970
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include a media temperature manager receiving operating temperature measurements for a memory subsystem. The media temperature manager generates an average temperature using the operating temperature measurements. The media temperature manager determines that the average temperature satisfies a first value for a dynamic temperature threshold. The dynamic temperature threshold indicates a temperature at which the memory subsystem throttles media operations. The media temperature manager increases the dynamic temperature threshold to a second value in response to the average temperature satisfying the first value for the dynamic temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Brandt
  • Patent number: 11320791
    Abstract: The invention is related to a novel atomic clock developed by taking into basis Quantum mechanics and the spin-spin status of the electrodes that have been trapped. The disadvantages such as radioactivity perceived in atomic clocks, half life and shelf life are prevented by means of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Umut Keten
  • Patent number: 11190195
    Abstract: A physics package for an atomic clock is provided herein. The atomic clock may include a resonance cell storing alkali vapor having first and second hyperfine ground states and an excited state, a light source to transmit light through the resonance cell at a frequency corresponding to electronic decay from the excited state to the first ground state, and a photodetector to receive light from the light source. The physics package may include a laser, and controller circuitry to, at a first time, allow light from the laser to optically pump the alkali vapor from the first hyperfine ground state to the excited state; and at a second time, allow the photodetector to receive light source light from the resonance cell while inhibiting light from the laser from optically pumping the alkali vapor in the resonance cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Camparo, Michael Huang, Travis Driskell, Daniele Monahan, Zachary Warren
  • Patent number: 11190196
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a molecular clock includes a waveguide gas cell containing gas molecules having a rotational spectral line with a first frequency a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate a clock signal, a transmitter referenced to the clock signal to generate a probing signal for transmission through the waveguide gas cell, and a receiver to receive the probing signal transmitted through the waveguide gas cell and interacting with gas molecules. The receiver can include a filter circuit configured to filter out even harmonic components from the received signal and can further include a lock-in detector to generate an error signal indicating an offset between the first frequency and the second frequency. The error signal is fed back to control generation of the VCO clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ruonan Han, Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11188032
    Abstract: A clock generator includes a hermetically sealed cavity and clock generation circuitry. A dipolar molecule in the hermetically sealed cavity has a quantum rotational state transition at a fixed frequency. The clock generation circuitry generates an output clock signal based on the fixed frequency of the dipolar molecule. The clock generation circuitry includes a detection circuit, a reference oscillator, and control circuitry. The detection circuit generates a first detection signal and a second detection signal representative of amplitude of signal at an output of the hermetically sealed cavity responsive to a first sweep signal and a second sweep signal input to the hermetically sealed cavity. The control circuitry sets a frequency of the reference oscillator based on a difference in time of identification of the fixed frequency of the dipolar molecule in the first detection signal and the second detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bichoy Bahr, Argyrios Dellis, Adam Fruehling, Juan Alejandro Herbsommer
  • Patent number: 11181726
    Abstract: Systems and methods providing non-contact confinement and vibration isolation of electromagnetic resonators are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a device includes an electromagnetic resonator body. The device further includes a frame enclosing a volume, wherein the electromagnetic resonator is located within the volume. Additionally, the device includes a plurality of body electrodes mounted on the electromagnetic resonator body. Also, the device includes a plurality of frame electrodes mounted on the frame. Moreover, the device includes an electrode controller, wherein the electrode controller drives the plurality of frame electrodes to isolate the electromagnetic resonator body from vibrations to the frame by allowing a rattle space between external surfaces of the electromagnetic resonator body and internal surfaces of the frame to approach but be greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Fertig
  • Patent number: 11156966
    Abstract: A quantum interference device includes a light emitting element; and an atomic cell on which light from the light emitting element is incident. The atomic cell accommodates alkali metal atoms therein, and a coating film containing a polydiyne compound or a polydiene compound is disposed on an inner wall of the atomic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Kimio Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 11126144
    Abstract: A clock generator includes a hermetically sealed cavity and clock generation circuitry. A dipolar molecule that exhibits a quantum rotational state transition at a fixed frequency is disposed in the cavity. The clock generation circuitry is configured to generate an output clock signal based on the fixed frequency of the dipolar molecule. The clock generation circuitry includes a detector circuit, a multiplier, and reference oscillator control circuitry. The detector circuit is coupled to the cavity, and is configured to generate a detection signal representative of an amplitude of a signal at an output of the cavity. The multiplier is coupled to the detector circuit, and is configured to multiply the detection signal with a mixing signal to produce a derivative of the detection signal. The reference oscillator control circuitry is configured to set a frequency of a reference oscillator based on the derivative of the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bichoy Bahr, Argyrios Dellis, Juan Alejandro Herbsommer, Baher Haroun
  • Patent number: 11002808
    Abstract: A gas cell includes a cell having a principal chamber having a coating material film formed on an inside wall, a reservoir arranged with the principal chamber along the longitudinal direction and communicating with to the principal chamber, a reinforcement section extending from the reservoir side of the principal chamber in an X-axis direction along the reservoir, an opening section disposed on an opposite side of the reservoir to the principal chamber, and a sealing section adapted to block the opening section, and an alkali metal gas encapsulated in the principal chamber, and the reinforcement section is provided with one of at least one hole and at least one groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichi Fujii, Kimio Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 10969746
    Abstract: In described examples, a physics cell includes: a laser source configured to emit light towards an atomic chamber containing an atomic gas; a photodetector configured to receive emissions from the atomic chamber; and a field coil for generating a magnetic field in the atomic chamber. An electronics circuit includes: a controller circuit coupled to the photodetector output and having control outputs to a digital to analog converter circuit; the digital to analog converter circuit having a coil current output to adjust the magnetic field, a modulation control output to control a modulation of the light, and having an output to control a voltage controlled oscillator; and a radio-frequency output circuit having a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to the output of the digital to analog converter circuit outputting a radio frequency signal to the laser source in the physics cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bradley Allen Kramer, Benjamin Stassen Cook, Juan Alejandro Herbsommer
  • Patent number: 10951002
    Abstract: A multi-frequency laser system comprises a master oscillator to generate a master beam and an arm splitter to split the master beam into a first beam and a second beam. The first beam is provided to a primary mode arm for generation of a primary mode beam and the second beam is provided to a sideband mode arm for generation of a sideband mode beam. The sideband beam arm comprises a modulator to modulate the second beam to generate a beam comprising sidebands; a filter to select a particular sideband mode from the beam comprising sidebands; an amplifier cavity to amplify the particular sideband mode and suppress other residual modes; and an acousto-optical modulator to shift the frequency of each mode of an amplified selected sideband beam to generate a sideband mode beam. The primary and sideband mode beams are provided in a coordinated manner to enact a quantum gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Bohn, Matthew Swallows, Patricia Lee
  • Patent number: 10809668
    Abstract: A millimeter wave apparatus, with a substrate, a transceiver in a first fixed position relative to the substrate, and a gas cell in a second fixed position relative to the substrate. The clock apparatus also comprises at least four waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Adam Joseph Fruehling, Juan Alejandro Herbsommer, Argyrios Dellis
  • Patent number: 10774220
    Abstract: Some variations provide an atomic vapor-cell system comprising: a vapor-cell region configured with vapor-cell walls for containing an atomic vapor; and a coating disposed on at least some interior surfaces of the walls, wherein the coating comprises magnesium oxide, a rare earth metal oxide, or a combination thereof. The atomic vapor-cell system may be configured to allow at least one optical path through the vapor-cell region. In some embodiments, the coating comprises or consists essentially of magnesium oxide and/or a rare earth metal oxide. When the coating contains a rare earth metal oxide, it may be a lanthanoid oxide, such as lanthanum oxide. The atomic vapor-cell system preferably further comprises a device to adjust vapor pressure of the atomic vapor within the vapor-cell region. Preferably, the device is a solid-state electrochemical device configured to convey the atomic vapor into or out of the vapor-cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Roper, Adam F. Gross
  • Patent number: 10775748
    Abstract: Some variations provide an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal vapor cell with a solid ionic conductor and intercalable-compound electrodes. The intercalable-compound electrodes are used as efficient sources and/or as sinks for alkali metal or alkaline earth metal atoms, thus enabling electrical control over metal atom content in the vapor cell. Some variations provide a vapor-cell system comprising: a vapor-cell region configured to allow a vapor-cell optical path into a vapor-cell vapor phase; a first electrode; a second electrode electrically isolated from the first electrode, wherein the second electrode contains an intercalable compound intercalated by an element selected from Rb, Cs, Na, K, or Sr; and an ion-conducting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The ion-conducting layer is ionically conductive for at least one ionic species selected from Rb+, Cs+, Na+, K+, or Sr2+. The intercalable compound is preferably a carbonaceous material, such as graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Roper, Adam F. Gross, Matthew T. Rakher, Logan D. Sorenson, John J. Vajo, Jason A. Graetz, Russell Mott, Danny Kim
  • Patent number: 10700690
    Abstract: A timing signal generation device includes a GPS receiver, an atomic oscillator, a phase comparator, a frequency abnormality determination unit, a sensor unit, and a determination unit. The GPS receiver outputs 1 PPS. The atomic oscillator 30 outputs a clock signal for synchronization with 1 PPS. The phase comparator compares 1 PPS and the clock signal in phase. The frequency abnormality determination unit determines whether or not the frequency of the clock signal is abnormal, by using a comparison result of the phase comparator, and outputs frequency abnormality information including a determination result. The sensor unit detects environment information which has an influence on the comparison result. The determination unit determines a cause of the abnormality by using the frequency abnormality information and the environment information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 10659067
    Abstract: An alkali-metal vapor cell atomic clock system, including a first atomic vapor cell and a second atomic vapor cell. A digital signal processor outputs a first time sequence to control a first laser signal, and the digital signal processor outputs a second time sequence to control a second laser signal. Thereby, the first atomic vapor cell and the second atomic vapor cell can alternately lock a crystal oscillator. A Dick effect is reduced by alternately locking the crystal oscillator, which enables the alkali-metal vapor cell atomic clock system to have more stable frequency output. Because the crystal oscillator has low costs, the alkali-metal vapor cell atomic clock system has advantages of low costs and high stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jian-Wei Zhang, Xiao-Lin Sun, Peng-Fei Cheng, Ya-Ni Zuo, Li-Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 10659066
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes an atom cell that accommodates an alkali metal atom, a container that accommodates the atom cell, a heating device that is disposed in the container and heats the atom cell, a substrate on which the container is disposed, and a positioning member that is disposed on the substrate and positions the container. The atom cell is pressed against the container toward the heating device. The heating device is pressed against the container toward the atom cell, and the container is in turn pressed against the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Watanabe, Yasunori Onishi, Yukihiro Hashi
  • Patent number: 10566983
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes: an atomic cell in which alkali metal atoms are sealed; a light source that radiates first light and second light with different frequencies to the atomic cell; a light detector that detects the first light and the second light transmitted through the atomic cell and outputs a detection signal according to a detection intensity; a signal generator that generates a microwave signal according to a transition frequency between two ground levels of the alkali metal atoms based on a result obtained by detecting the detection signal for each first period; and a light source adjuster that adjusts the frequencies of the first light and the second light for each second period, the second period being longer than the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Maki, Noriaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10545461
    Abstract: Some variations provide an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal vapor cell with a solid ionic conductor and intercalable-compound electrodes. The intercalable-compound electrodes are used as efficient sources and/or as sinks for alkali metal or alkaline earth metal atoms, thus enabling electrical control over metal atom content in the vapor cell. Some variations provide a vapor-cell system comprising: a vapor-cell region configured to allow a vapor-cell optical path into a vapor-cell vapor phase; a first electrode containing an intercalable compound capable of being intercalated by at least one element selected from Rb, Cs, Na, K, or Sr; a second electrode electrically isolated from the first electrode; and an ion-conducting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The ion-conducting layer is ionically conductive for at least one ionic species selected from Rb+, Cs+, Na+, K+, or Sr2+. The first intercalable compound is preferably a carbonaceous material, such as graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher S. Roper, Adam F. Gross, Matthew T. Rakher, Logan D. Sorenson, John J. Vajo, Jason A. Graetz, Russell Mott, Danny Kim
  • Patent number: 10523226
    Abstract: A quantum interference device includes a base having a mounting surface, an atom cell in which alkali metal atoms are encapsulated, a light source adapted to emit light adapted to excite the alkali metal atoms, a photodetector adapted to detect the light having been transmitted through the atom cell, and a support adapted to support the atom cell, the light source, and the photodetector in a lump with respect to the mounting surface in a state in which the atom cell, the light source, and the photodetector are arranged in a direction along the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 10520900
    Abstract: In described examples, an apparatus includes a physics cell and an electronic circuit. The physics cell includes an atomic chamber, a laser source, a modulator, a photodetector and a field coil. The electronic circuit includes a frequency synthesizer, a controller and a digital to analog converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bradley Allen Kramer, Benjamin Stassen Cook, Juan Alejandro Herbsommer
  • Patent number: 10509065
    Abstract: In a general aspect, fields of electromagnetic radiation are imaged. In some aspects, an imaging method includes receiving electromagnetic radiation at a vapor-cell sensor. The method also includes passing beams of light through the vapor-cell sensor, one or more of the beams of light reflecting off a dielectric mirror of the vapor-cell sensor. The method additionally includes receiving at least one of the beams of light at an optical imaging system. The optical imaging system is configured to measure spatial properties of a beam of light. The method also includes determining one or both of an amplitude and a phase of the electromagnetic radiation based on spatial properties of the at least one received beam of light. Systems for imaging fields of electromagnetic radiation are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories
    Inventor: James P. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10502632
    Abstract: A tunable laser system includes a tunable laser to be scanned over a range of frequencies and an interferometer having a plurality of interferometer outputs. At least two interferometer outputs of the plurality of interferometer outputs have a phase difference. A wavelength reference has a spectral feature within the range of frequencies, and the spectral feature does not change in an expected operating environment of the tunable laser. Processing circuitry uses the spectral feature and the plurality of interferometer outputs to produce an absolute measurement of a wavelength of the tunable laser and controls the tunable laser based on a comparison of the absolute measurement of the wavelength of the tunable laser with a setpoint wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Seeley, Mark E. Froggatt
  • Patent number: 10502796
    Abstract: A magnetometer includes a diamond sensor, an excitation light source, a diamond sensor case, and a photodiode. The excitation light source irradiates the diamond sensor case with excitation light. In the diamond sensor case, a reflection film which reflects excitation light is formed on either a front surface or an inner surface, and the diamond sensor is stored. The photodiode detects intensity of fluorescence generated from the diamond sensor. The diamond sensor case includes a fluorescence output window and an excitation-light reception window. Fluorescence generated by the diamond sensor is output through the fluorescence output window. Excitation light emitted by the excitation light source is received through the excitation-light reception window. The photodiode is provided on a side of a second surface opposite to a first surface which is a magnetism measurement surface of the diamond sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Hatano, Takashi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 10473605
    Abstract: A fluid testing system comprises controlling hardware that serves to control an electric sensor on a fluid testing cassette. In one implementation, the controlling hardware is part of a cassette interface. In another implementation, the controlling hardware is part of the portable electronic device. In one implementation, the fluid testing system applies two different frequencies of alternating current are applied to two different electric sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sirena C. Lu, Melinda M. Valencia, Jeremy Sells, Manish Giri
  • Patent number: 10459784
    Abstract: A frequency signal generator includes a controllable oscillator unit, a frequency control unit and an error detection unit. The controllable oscillator unit generates and provides a frequency signal. The frequency control unit generates a frequency control signal and the controllable oscillator unit varies a frequency of the frequency signal based on the frequency control signal. Further, the error detection unit receives the frequency control signal, detects an error within the frequency control signal and provides an error signal. The error signal comprises information on a detected error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Gstöttenbauer, Klemens Kordik
  • Patent number: 10416246
    Abstract: A physics package apparatus for a compact atomic device includes a container having a plurality of slots and an open end, a first vapor cell carrier slidably seated in one of the plurality of slots, a vapor cell coupled to the first vapor cell carrier; and a lid sealably enclosing the open end so that the vapor cell is sealably enclosed in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. DeNatale, Robert L. Borwick, III, Philip A. Stupar, Viktor Tarashansky
  • Patent number: 10396809
    Abstract: An atomic cell is filled with an alkali metal therein and includes an inner wall which is formed from a material containing a compound having a polar group, a first coating layer which coats the inner wall and is formed from a first molecule having a nonpolar group and a functional group that undergoes an elimination reaction with the polar group, and a second coating layer which coats the first coating layer and is formed from a nonpolar second molecule, wherein the second molecule is polypropylene, polyethylene, or polymethylpentene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhito Hayashi, Takuya Miyakawa, Naoki Ishihara, Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 10367451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator based on digital circuit, a closed-loop compensation architecture is employed to realize the high precision compensation of the crystal oscillator. The output frequency f(T) of the TCXO to be compensated is directly connected with the compensation voltage Vc(T) in real time, and the compensation voltage is fed back to the voltage control terminal of the VCXO to be compensated to compensate, so that the output frequency after compensation is equal to the target frequency signal, thus avoiding the frequency shift of output signal caused by temperature hysteresis, i.e. the discrepancy between the temperature acquired by a temperature sensor and the real temperature of the resonant wafer in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF ELECTRONIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF CHINA
    Inventors: Peng Ye, Feng Tan, Xingqi Liu, Duyu Qiu, Lianping Guo, Kuojun Yang, Qinchuan Zhang, Huiqing Pan
  • Patent number: 10270458
    Abstract: A quantum interference device includes an atom cell, a light source emits light to the alkali metal atoms, a photodetector that detects the light transmitted through the atom cell, a thermal conductor, which is disposed so as to straddle the light source side and the photodetector side of the atom cell, and the thermal conductor having higher thermal conductively than the atom cell, and a support, which is disposed so as to be separated from the thermal conductor, and supports the atom cell, the light source, the photodetector, and the thermal conductor in a lump, the support having lower thermal conductivity than the thermal conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Maki, Nobuhito Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10225968
    Abstract: A fixture to enable correct positioning of components in surface mount technology (SMT) field includes a tray, a positioning mechanism, at least one first upper magnet, at least one second upper magnet, and at least one lower magnet. The tray has at least one positioning hole. The positioning mechanism includes a base member, at least one sliding assembly, and at least one positioning post. The sliding assembly is slidably mounted to the base member. The positioning post is mounted to the base member, and disposed in the positioning hole of the tray. The first upper magnet and the second upper magnet are attached to the tray. The lower magnet is attached to the sliding assembly. The tray and the positioning mechanism are repulsive when the lower magnet aligns with the first upper magnet but are attracted when the lower magnet aligns with the second upper magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eddy Liu, Xi-Hang Li, Xue-Feng Che, Ri-Qing Chen, Xing Xia
  • Patent number: 10120039
    Abstract: A system for magnetic detection includes a nitrogen vacancy (NV) diamond material comprising a plurality of NV centers, a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field that is applied to the NV diamond material, a radio frequency (RF) excitation source that provides RF excitation to the NV diamond material, an optical excitation source that provides optical excitation to the NV diamond material, an optical detector that receives an optical signal emitted by the NV diamond material, and a controller. The controller is configured to compute a total incident magnetic field at the NV diamond material based on the optical signal emitted by the NV diamond material, and drive the magnetic field generator to generate a compensatory magnetic field, the generated compensatory magnetic field being set to offset a shift in the optical signal emitted by the NV diamond material caused by an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: John B. Stetson, Jr., Jeff D. Cammerata
  • Patent number: 10069504
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes an atomic cell in which alkali metal atoms are encapsulated, a light source section configured to receive the supply of a bias and emit light including a resonance light pair for causing the alkali metal atoms to resonate, a temperature adjusting element configured to adjust the temperature of the light source section, a bias detecting section configured to detect information concerning the bias, and a light-source-temperature control section configured to control the temperature adjusting element using the information detected by the bias detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 10027335
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes an atom cell, a first light source device, a second light source device, and a reception section. The atom cell is filled with alkali metal. The first light source device emits a light beam that includes a resonance light beam pair configured to be circularly polarized with each other in the same direction and configured to cause the alkali metal to resonate. The second light source device emits a light beam that includes adjustment light beam configured to be circularly polarized in a reverse direction to the resonance light beam pair. The reception device receives the resonance light beam pair that pass through the atom cell. The adjustment light beam may include the resonance light beam that causes the alkali metal to resonate. In addition, the resonance light beam pair may be a line and the adjustment light beam is a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhito Hayashi, Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 9966091
    Abstract: A design for a microwave assisted magnetic recording device is disclosed wherein a spin torque oscillator (STO) between a main pole and write shield has a spin polarization (SP) layer less than 30 Angstroms thick and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) induced by an interface with one or two metal oxide layers. Back scattered spin polarized current from an oscillation layer is used to stabilize SP layer magnetization. One or both of the metal oxide layers may be replaced by a confining current pathway (CCP) structure. In one embodiment, the SP layer is omitted and spin polarized current is generated by a main pole/metal oxide interface. A direct current or pulsed current bias is applied across the STO. Rf current may also be injected into the STO to reduce critical current density. A write gap of 25 nm or less is achieved while maintaining good STO performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyu Chen, Yan Wu
  • Patent number: 9912339
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a gas cell that has metal atoms sealed therein, a heating unit that heats the gas cell, a heat transmission unit that is positioned between the gas cell and the heating unit, is thermally connected to the gas cell, and transmits heat generated by the heating unit to the gas cell, and a light absorbing unit that is thermally connected to the gas cell so as to be separated from the heat transmission unit and absorbs heat of the gas cell. The heat transmission unit includes a gas cell accommodation portion including at least a pair of gas cell accommodation walls disposed outside the gas cell, and a thermal conductive elastic member which is interposed in a gap formed by the gas cell and the gas cell accommodation walls of the heat transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Chindo
  • Patent number: 9755654
    Abstract: A gas cell includes alkali metal enclosed within an internal space configured by a trunk portion and window portions. An interior wall surface of the trunk portion includes a holding portion having a contact angle with liquid alkali metal of less than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Nakajima, Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 9735733
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes an atom cell, a first light source device, a second light source device, and a reception section. The atom cell is filled with alkali metal. The first light source device emits a light beam that includes a resonance light beam pair configured to be circularly polarized with each other in the same direction and configured to cause the alkali metal to resonate. The second light source device emits a light beam that includes adjustment light beam configured to be circularly polarized in a reverse direction to the resonance light beam pair. The reception device receives the resonance light beam pair that pass through the atom cell. The adjustment light beam may include the resonance light beam that causes the alkali metal to resonate. In addition, the resonance light beam pair may be a line and the adjustment light beam is a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhito Hayashi, Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 9685909
    Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of generating a frequency reference using a solid-state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers. A device may include a solid-state atomic clock to generate a clock frequency signal, the solid-state atomic clock including a solid state atomic resonator formed by a solid-state material including an optical cavity having color centers, which are capable of exhibiting hyperfine transition, wherein the solid-state atomic clock may generate the clock frequency signal based on a hyperfine resonance frequency of the color centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: DIMENSION 4 LTD.
    Inventor: Lahav Gan
  • Patent number: 9654125
    Abstract: A gas cell includes an alkali metal, a pair of window parts, a body part provided between the pair of window parts and forming an internal space in which the alkali metal in a gaseous state is enclosed with the pair of window parts, and a space within a recessed part forming a part of the internal space or communicating with the internal space, in which a liquid-state or solid-state alkali metal is placed, and a bottom part as a wall part between the space within the recessed part and an outside has a smaller thickness than the window parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9601225
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vapor cell having multiple cavities fluidly connected by one or more channels. At least one of the cavities is configured to receive a first material able to dissociate into one or more gases that are contained within the vapor cell. At least one of the cavities is configured to receive a second material able to absorb at least a portion of the one or more gases. The vapor cell could include a first cavity configured to receive the first material and a second cavity fluidly connected to the first cavity by at least one first channel, where the second cavity is configured to receive the gas(es). The vapor cell could also include a third cavity fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second cavities by at least one second channel, where the third cavity is configured to receive the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Roozbeh Parsa, Peter J. Hopper, William French
  • Patent number: 9595916
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect oscillator is provided which can realize a rise or a fall of oscillation at a higher speed. In the magnetoresistive effect oscillator, at the rise, a current having a first current density, which is larger than a critical current density for oscillation, is applied, and thereafter a current having a second current density, which is less than the current density corresponding to the first current density and not less than the critical current density for oscillation, is applied such that the magnetoresistive effect element oscillates at a predetermined frequency. In the magnetoresistive effect oscillator, at the fall, starting from the state where a first current density is applied to hold the magnetoresistive effect element in an oscillating condition, a current having a second current density and having polarity reversed to that of the first current density is applied such that the oscillation disappears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Eiji Suzuki