Molecular Or Particle Resonant Type (e.g., Maser) Patents (Class 331/94.1)
  • Patent number: 9203026
    Abstract: A quantum interference device includes a wiring board, a second unit including a gas cell in which metal atoms are sealed, a first unit that includes a light emission unit emitting light, which includes a resonance light pair for resonating the metal atoms, toward the metal atoms, and a supporting plate that has a plate shape, supports the first unit and the second unit on one surface side thereof, and is connected to the wiring board on the other surface side thereof. In addition, a second supporting portion supporting the second unit of the supporting plate includes a portion separated from the wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Tanaka, Tomohiro Tamura, Koji Chindo
  • Patent number: 9197230
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a gas cell, a semiconductor laser, a light detector, a bias current control section controlling a bias current based on intensity of light detected by the light detector, a memory, and an MPU. The MPU sweeps the bias current and stores a value of the bias current and a value of the intensity of the light when the intensity of the detected light shifts from a decrease to an increase and re-sweeps to set the bias current based on the value of the bias current stored in the memory after the sweep, compares the value of the intensity of the detected light with the value of the intensity of the light stored in the memory while the bias current control section controls the bias current, and determines whether to perform the sweep again in accordance with the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Tanaka, Koji Chindo, Hiroyuki Yoshida, Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 9196271
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a spin-torque oscillation element includes a lamination structure containing a spin injection layer, a non-magnetic interlayer formed on the spin injection layer and an oscillation layer formed on the non-magnetic interlayer, and a non-magnetic conductive layer provided on a sidewall of the lamination structure, and the thickness of the lamination structure in a longitudinal direction is 60 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi Shirotori, Katsuhiko Koui, Mariko Shimizu, Shuichi Murakami, Norihito Fujita
  • Patent number: 9191017
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a base, a unit portion including a gas cell and the like, and a support member that supports the unit portion against the base. The support member includes a plurality of leg portions and a connecting portion that connects the plurality of leg portions to each other. A connection portion between each leg portion and the base is separated from the unit portion in plan view from a direction in which the base and the unit portion overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 9164491
    Abstract: In an example, a chip-scale atomic clock physics package is provided. The physics package includes a body defining a cavity having a base surface and one or more side walls. The cavity includes a first step surface and a second step surface defined in the one or more side walls. A first scaffold mounted to the base surface in the cavity. One or more spacers defining an aperture therethrough are mounted to the second step surface in the cavity. A second scaffold is mounted to a first surface of the one or more spacers spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. A third scaffold is mounted to a second surface of the one or more spacers in the cavity and spans across the aperture of the one or more spacers. Other components of the physics package are mounted to the first, second, and third scaffold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff A. Ridley, Robert Compton, Mary K. Salit, Jeffrey James Kriz
  • Patent number: 9116510
    Abstract: A chip scale atomic clock (CSAC) accelerometer incorporates a case in which a cesium vapor resonance cell is carried. An optical laser is mounted in the case and emits a laser beam through the resonance cell. The laser is modulated by a microwave signal generator. A photon detector mounted in the case receives photons emitted by cesium atoms in the resonance cell and provides a frequency output representative of interference of energy levels of the emitted photons including momentum changes due to acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph E. Justin, Robert J. Atmur
  • Patent number: 9118336
    Abstract: A physical system for a chip-scale coherent population trapping (CPT) atomic clock. The physical system includes: a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device, a first polarizing beam splitter, a first ?/4 wave plate, a chip of an atomic vapor cell, a second ?/4 wave plate, a reflection device, a lens, a second polarizing beam splitter, and a photo detector. The first polarizing beam splitter, the first ?/4 wave plate, the chip of the atomic vapor cell, the second ?/4 wave plate, and the reflection device are disposed in sequence. The lens, the second polarizing beam splitter, and the photo detector are disposed in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Sihong Gu, Yi Zhang, Suping Qu, Xueming Shi
  • Patent number: 9112518
    Abstract: A heater substrate for heating an alkali metal cell including an alkali metal includes a first heater wiring formed in a region surrounding an alkali metal encapsulating part in which the alkali metal is encapsulated; a second heater wiring formed in the region surrounding the alkali metal encapsulating part and inside the first heater wiring; and a third heater wiring formed outside the first heater wiring. A first electric current flowing in the first heater wiring is divided into a second electric current flowing in the second heater wiring and a third electric current flowing in the third heater wiring. A direction of the first electric current is opposite to a direction of the second electric current and a direction of the third electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Adachi, Kazuhiro Harasaka, Shunichi Sato
  • Patent number: 9097750
    Abstract: A dual purpose atomic device (DAD) for realizing atomic frequency standard and/or magnetic field measurement based on a hybrid technique comprising of enhanced transmission and polarization rotation by the CPT states is invented. The dual purpose atomic device for realizing atomic frequency standard and/or magnetic field measurement basically involving means for generating bi-chromatic field to facilitate the creation of CPT state in an atomic cell and stabilizing the frequency difference among the said bi-chromatic field to the center of the CPT resonance and thereby realizing atomic frequency standard and/or means for monitoring and analyzing transmitted polarization rotation signal from the CPT enabled atomic gas in a sample cell for measuring magnetic field without scanning the radiofrequency oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: GOVT. OF INDIA ANUSHAKTI BHAVAN, CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ MARG
    Inventor: Swarupananda Pradhan
  • Patent number: 9083363
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a cold atom frequency standard are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a cold atom microwave frequency standard includes a vacuum cell, the vacuum cell comprising a central cylinder, the central cylinder being hollow and having a first open end and a second open end; a first end portion joined to the first open end; and a second end portion joined to the second open end, wherein the first end portion, the central cylinder, and the second end portion enclose a hollow volume containing atoms, the first end portion and the second end portion configured to allow light to enter into the hollow volume. The cold atom microwave frequency standard also includes a cylindrically symmetric resonator encircling the central cylinder, wherein the resonator generates a microwave field in the hollow volume at the resonant frequency of the atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Fertig, Chad Langness, Karl D. Nelson, Kenneth Salit, Jennifer S. Strabley
  • Patent number: 9077354
    Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating clock bias in an atomic clock is provided. The method comprises cooling a population of atoms collected in the atomic clock using a laser locked at a predetermined frequency, turning off the laser, performing atomic clock spectroscopy, turning on the laser after the atomic clock spectroscopy, and relocking the frequency of the laser to an external reference cell. The population of atoms that are in each of two ground hyperfine levels is then probed using laser light that is on or near-resonant with a selected atomic transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer S. Strabley, Kenneth Salit, Karl D. Nelson, Ben Luey, Mike Anderson
  • Patent number: 9052698
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an atomic clock for use in an electronic device includes a photodetector with a single-isotope silicon crystal doped with impurity atoms in which a photocurrent generated via a two-photon process within the photodetector is used as a frequency resonance of the atomic clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Denis Karaiskaj
  • Patent number: 9048853
    Abstract: An atom cell module includes an atom cell in which atoms are enclosed, a heating unit that heats the atom cell by generating heat when a current flows, and a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field inside the atom cell. A magnetic field at a predetermined position inside the atom cell generated by the magnetic field generator includes a magnetic field component in an opposite direction to a magnetic field at the predetermined position generated on the basis of a current flowing through the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Chindo, Hiroyuki Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20150123739
    Abstract: An optical module of an atomic oscillator includes: a surface emitting laser adapted to emit light; a depolarization element irradiated with the light emitted from the surface emitting laser, and adapted to dissolve a polarization state of the light irradiated; a polarization element irradiated with light having been transmitted through the depolarization element; a ?/4 plate irradiated with light having been transmitted through the polarization element, and having a fast axis disposed so as to rotate by 45 degrees with respect to a polarization transmission axis of the polarization element; a gas cell encapsulating an alkali metal gas, and irradiated with light having been transmitted through the ?/4 plate; and a light detection section adapted to detect intensity of light having been transmitted through the gas cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Tetsuo NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20150116046
    Abstract: An optical module of an atomic oscillator includes: a surface emitting laser adapted to emit polarized light; a polarization element irradiated with the light emitted from the surface emitting laser, and having a polarization transmission axis disposed so as to be rotated by 45 degrees with respect to a polarization direction of the polarized light; a ?/4 plate irradiated with light having been transmitted through the polarization element, and having a fast axis disposed so as to be rotated by 45 degrees with respect to the polarization transmission axis; a gas cell encapsulating an alkali metal gas, and irradiated with light having been transmitted through the ?/4 plate; and a light detection section adapted to detect intensity of light having been transmitted through the gas cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Tetsuo NISHIDA
  • Patent number: 9019024
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes: a gas cell which includes two window portions having a light transmissive property and in which metal atoms are sealed; a light emitting portion that emits excitation light to excite the metal atoms in the gas cell; a light detecting portion that detects the excitation light transmitted through the gas cell; a heater that generates heat; and a connection member that thermally connects the heater and each window portion of the gas cell to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Publication number: 20150109061
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a wafer scale atomic clock are provided. In at least one embodiment, a wafer scale device comprises a first substrate; a cell layer joined to the first substrate, the cell layer comprising a plurality of hermetically isolated cells, wherein separate measurements are produced for each cell in the plurality of hermetically isolated cells; and a second substrate joined to the cell layer, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate comprise electronics to control the separate measurements, wherein the separate measurements are combined into a single measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey James Kriz, James L. Tucker, Kenneth H. Heffner, Robert Compton
  • Publication number: 20150102864
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a first semiconductor multilayer film mirror of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor multilayer film mirror of a second conductivity type that is different from the first conductivity type, an active layer formed between the first semiconductor multilayer film mirror and the second semiconductor multilayer film mirror, a third semiconductor multilayer film mirror of a semi-insulating type formed between the first semiconductor multilayer film mirror and the active layer, and a contact layer of the first conductivity type formed between the third semiconductor multilayer film mirror and the active layer, and the third semiconductor multilayer film mirror is formed of a material having a bandgap energy higher than an energy of light generated in the active layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Tetsuo NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20150102863
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes: a base; a unit portion including a gas cell, in which alkali metal atoms are filled, and a heater that heats the gas cell; and a wiring line that electrically connects the base and the unit portion to each other and includes a portion having a cross-sectional area of 60 ?m2 or more and 100 ?m2 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Yukihiro HASHI, Shoichi NAGAMATSU
  • Patent number: 9007136
    Abstract: A light-emitting device module includes a temperature variable device including a temperature control surface subjected to temperature control, a light-emitting device including a first electrode and mounted on a portion of the temperature control surface, a first terminal for supplying electric power to the first electrode, and a wire that causes the first terminal and the first electrode to conduct. The wire is thermally connected to the other portion of the temperature control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Chindo
  • Publication number: 20150091659
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a gas cell, a semiconductor laser, and a frequency modulation signal generator generating a frequency modulation signal causing the semiconductor laser to generate frequency-modulated light including a first-order sideband light pair causing an electromagnetically induced transparency phenomenon in metal atoms. When a modulation level of frequency modulation changes from low to high, a modulation level at a time when the first-order sideband light is maximized for the first time is represented as m1, a modulation level at a time when intensity of light with a center frequency becomes equal to or higher than intensity of the first-order sideband light for the first time after decreasing to be lower than the intensity of the first-order sideband light for the first time is represented as m2, and intensity of the frequency modulation signal is set such that the modulation level is higher than m1 and lower than m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Satoshi KUBO, Hiroyuki YOSHIDA, Nobuhito HAYASHI, Naoki ISHIHARA, Noriaki TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20150091660
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a gas cell, a semiconductor laser, a light detector, a bias current control section controlling a bias current based on intensity of light detected by the light detector, a memory, and an MPU. The MPU sweeps the bias current and stores a value of the bias current and a value of the intensity of the light when the intensity of the detected light shifts from a decrease to an increase and re-sweeps to set the bias current based on the value of the bias current stored in the memory after the sweep, compares the value of the intensity of the detected light with the value of the intensity of the light stored in the memory while the bias current control section controls the bias current, and determines whether to perform the sweep again in accordance with the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Noriaki TANAKA, Koji CHINDO, Hiroyuki YOSHIDA, Yoshiyuki MAKI
  • Publication number: 20150091661
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a gas cell into which a metal atom and a buffer gas are sealed, a light source that emits light for exciting the metal atom in the gas cell, and a light detection unit (light reception unit) that detects the light which has been transmitted through the gas cell, in which the buffer gas includes neon (Ne) and argon (Ar), and a pressure ratio of Ar to the total of Ne and Ar is greater than 0 and less than 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Koji CHINDO, Noriaki TANAKA, Tomohiro TAMURA, Hiroyuki YOSHIDA, Yoshiyuki MAKI
  • Publication number: 20150091662
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a gas cell having an internal space in which alkali metal atoms are entrapped, and a light output part that outputs excitation light containing a pair of resonance lights in resonance with the alkali metal atoms toward the internal space. Further, a width of the internal space along a direction perpendicular to an axis of the excitation light is W1, a width of the excitation light along the same direction in the internal space is W2, and a relation of 40%?W2/W1?95% is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki YOSHIDA, Noriaki TANAKA, Koji CHINDO, Tomohiro TAMURA, Yoshiyuki MAKI
  • Publication number: 20150084707
    Abstract: An atomic cell includes a pair of windows, and a body disposed between the pair of windows and forming an inner space in which alkali metal atoms are sealed along with the pair of windows. The inner space has a longitudinal shape in which a cross-section perpendicular to an arranging direction of the pair of windows extends in a first direction. Further, when a length of the inner space in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the cross-section is set to L1, and a length of the inner space in the first direction is set to L2, a relationship of L2/L1?1.1 is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki MAKI
  • Patent number: 8986572
    Abstract: The invention is directed to calcium fluoride crystal optics with improved laser durability that can be used for the transmission of below 250 nanometer (nm) electromagnetic radiation. The optics consists of CaF2 as the major component and Mg in an amount in the range of 13 ppm to 20 ppm while Ce and Mn are <0.5 ppm. The doped crystal and optics made therefrom have a ratio of 515/380 nm transmission loss of less than 0.3 after exposure to greater than 2.8 MRads of ?-radiation. Further, the doped crystal and optics made therefrom exhibit a greatly improved lifetime as shown by ALDT testing to at least 1 billion pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James R Cole, Keith J Donohue, Michael Lucien Genier, Robert Stephen Pavlik, Jr., Michael William Price, William Rogers Rosch, Jeffrey L Sunderland
  • Publication number: 20150061785
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes a pair of window units, a wall extending between the pair of window units and forming a first space in which alkali metal in a gas state is housed with the pair of window units, and a second space communicating with the first space and provided in a position with the wall between the first and second spaces and housing alkali metal in a liquid or solid state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Naoki ISHIHARA
  • Patent number: 8970309
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator is disclosed, including an Alkaline metal cell, a light source illuminating a laser beam to the Alkaline metal cell, and a light detector detecting light passing through the Alkaline metal cell. The Alkaline metal cell includes a first member, a second member, a cell internal portion, and an Alkaline metal raw material. In the first member, a first glass substrate is bonded on a second surface of a first substrate where a first opening part is formed. In the second member, a second glass substrate is bonded to a fourth surface of a second substrate where a second opening part is formed. The cell internal portion is formed by the first opening part and the second opening part by bonding the first surface to the third surface. The Alkaline metal raw material is enclosed by the cell internal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Sato, Akihiro Itoh, Yukito Sato
  • Publication number: 20150054591
    Abstract: A heater substrate for heating an alkali metal cell including an alkali metal includes a first heater wiring formed in a region surrounding an alkali metal encapsulating part in which the alkali metal is encapsulated; a second heater wiring formed in the region surrounding the alkali metal encapsulating part and inside the first heater wiring; and a third heater wiring formed outside the first heater wiring. A first electric current flowing in the first heater wiring is divided into a second electric current flowing in the second heater wiring and a third electric current flowing in the third heater wiring. A direction of the first electric current is opposite to a direction of the second electric current and a direction of the third electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Adachi, Kazuhiro Harasaka, Shunichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8947170
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a spin-torque oscillator includes a non-magnetic unit, one or more first magnetic unit, and a second magnetic unit. The non-magnetic unit is formed of a non-magnetic body. The one or more first magnetic unit is connected to the non-magnetic unit and generates a pure spin current indicating the flow of the electron spin that does not accompany an electric charge current. The second magnetic unit is connected to the non-magnetic unit in a manner such that a distance between the second magnetic unit and the first magnetic unit is shorter than a spin diffusion length indicating a distance that an electronic spin polarization is maintained in the non-magnetic unit. The second magnetic unit oscillates by the pure spin current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tao Yang, Kiwamu Kudo, Tazumi Nagasawa, Hirofumi Suto, Rie Sato, Koichi Mizushima
  • Patent number: 8947169
    Abstract: An oscillating device includes an atomic oscillator, an oven controlled crystal oscillator, a correcting unit configured to correct an output signal of the oven controlled crystal oscillator on the basis of an output signal of the atomic oscillator, a housing configured to house the atomic oscillator and the oven controlled crystal oscillator, and a temperature adjusting unit configured to adjust the temperature in the housing to a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Tamura, Yoshiyuki Maki, Noriaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150028866
    Abstract: A first apparatus includes a vapor cell having first and second cavities fluidly connected by multiple channels. The first cavity is configured to receive a material able to dissociate into one or more gases that are contained within the vapor cell. The second cavity is configured to receive the one or more gases. The vapor cell is configured to allow radiation to pass through the second cavity. A second apparatus includes a vapor cell having a first wafer with first and second cavities and a second wafer with one or more channels fluidly connecting the cavities. The first cavity is configured to receive a material able to dissociate into one or more gases that are contained within the vapor cell. The second cavity is configured to receive the one or more gases. The vapor cell is configured to allow radiation to pass through the second cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Roozbeh Parsa, Peter J. Hopper
  • Patent number: 8941442
    Abstract: A method of fabricating one or more vapor cells comprises forming one or more vapor cell dies in a first wafer having a first diameter, and anodically bonding a second wafer to a first side of the first wafer over the vapor cell dies, the second wafer having a second diameter. A third wafer is positioned over the vapor cell dies on a second side of the first wafer opposite from the second wafer, with the third wafer having a third diameter. A sacrificial wafer is placed over the third wafer, with the sacrificial wafer having a diameter that is larger than the first, second and third diameters. A metallized bond plate is located over the sacrificial wafer. The third wafer is anodically bonded to the second side of the first wafer when a voltage is applied to the metallized bond plate while the sacrificial wafer is in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Youngner, Jeff A. Ridley, Son T. Lu
  • Publication number: 20150022273
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a cold atom frequency standard are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a cold atom microwave frequency standard includes a vacuum cell, the vacuum cell comprising a central cylinder, the central cylinder being hollow and having a first open end and a second open end; a first end portion joined to the first open end; and a second end portion joined to the second open end, wherein the first end portion, the central cylinder, and the second end portion enclose a hollow volume containing atoms, the first end portion and the second end portion configured to allow light to enter into the hollow volume. The cold atom microwave frequency standard also includes a cylindrically symmetric resonator encircling the central cylinder, wherein the resonator generates a microwave field in the hollow volume at the resonant frequency of the atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Fertig, Chad Langness, Karl D. Nelson, Kenneth Salit, Jennifer S. Strabley
  • Patent number: 8937513
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC) alkali vapor cell seated on a silicon substrate that is suspended in a package by a metalized Parylene strap having Parylene anchors embedded in a silicon frame, the Parylene strap comprising an extended rigidizing structure, and a plurality of electrical pins extending into an interior of the package, the plurality of electrical pins in electrical communication with the CSAC cell through the metalized Parylene strap, where the CSAC cell is mechanically connected to the package and thermally insulated from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. DeNatale, Philip A. Stupar, Yu-Hua Lin, Robert L. Borwick, III, Alexandros P. Papavasiliou
  • Patent number: 8922283
    Abstract: A wristwatch, which comprises an atomic oscillator comprising a system for detecting the beat frequencies obtained by the Raman effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Balet, Jacques Haesler, Steve Lecomte, David Ruffieux
  • Patent number: 8922284
    Abstract: A method of controlling an atomic oscillator includes generating a resonant light pair in response to a center frequency signal and a sideband signal, and setting the sideband signal so that an electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) phenomenon does not occur in a gas cell of the atomic oscillator. The method includes applying the resonant light pair to the gas cell and detecting an intensity level of light transmitted through the gas cell. While the sideband signal is set so that the EIT phenomenon is not occurring, the center frequency signal is varied until a minimum value of the intensity level is identified. A first frequency is calculated by subtracting a predetermined frequency offset from the center frequency at which the intensity level was equal to the minimum value. A center frequency of the resonant light pair is set to the first frequency for operation of the atomic oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Aoyama, Koji Chindo
  • Patent number: 8922285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiofrequency oscillator which incorporates: a spin-polarized electric current magnetoresistive device (6), a terminal (18) for controlling the frequency or amplitude of the oscillating signal, a servo loop (34) connected between the output terminal and the control terminal for applying a control signal to the control terminal in order to slave a characteristic of the oscillating signal to a reference value, the servo loop (34) comprising: a sensor (36) of the amplitude of the oscillating signal oscillations, and a comparator (38) capable of generating the control signal according to the measured amplitude and the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Dimitri Houssameddine, Bertrand Delaet, Marie-Claire Cyrille, Ursula Ebels, Michael Quinsat
  • Publication number: 20140354366
    Abstract: A surface emitting laser element includes plural surface emitting lasers provided on a substrate. Each of the plural surface emitting lasers includes a first reflection mirror provided on the substrate; an active layer provided on the first reflection mirror; a wavelength adjustment region provided on the active layer; and a second reflection mirror provided on the wavelength adjustment region. The wavelength adjustment region includes a phase adjustment layer and a wavelength adjustment layer provided on the phase adjustment layer. A thickness of the wavelength adjustment region is approximately an odd multiple of a wavelength of emitted light divided by four. A thickness of the phase adjustment layer is approximately an even multiple of the wavelength of the emitted light divided by four. A thickness of the wavelength adjustment layer is different from a thickness of a wavelength adjustment layer of at least one of the other surface emitting lasers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Suzuki, Shunichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140354367
    Abstract: Disclosed is a surface-emitting laser element including a semiconductor substrate and plural surface-emitting lasers configured to emit light mutually different wavelengths, each surface-emitting laser including a lower Bragg reflector provided on the semiconductor substrate, a resonator provided on the lower Bragg reflector, an upper Bragg reflector provided on the resonator, and a wavelength adjustment layer provided in the upper Bragg reflector or lower Bragg reflector, the wavelength adjustment layers included in the surface-emitting lasers having mutually different thicknesses, at least one of the wavelength adjustment layers including adjustment layers made of two kinds of materials, and numbers of the adjustment layers included in the wavelength adjustment layers being mutually different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Suzuki, Shunichi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140347140
    Abstract: A physical system for a chip-scale coherent population trapping (CPT) atomic clock. The physical system includes: a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device, a first polarizing beam splitter, a first ?/4 wave plate, a chip of an atomic vapor cell, a second ?/4 wave plate, a reflection device, a lens, a second polarizing beam splitter, and a photo detector. The first polarizing beam splitter, the first ?/4 wave plate, the chip of the atomic vapor cell, the second ?/4 wave plate, and the reflection device are disposed in sequence. The lens, the second polarizing beam splitter, and the photo detector are disposed in sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Sihong GU, Yi ZHANG, Suping QU, Xueming SHI
  • Patent number: 8878618
    Abstract: A spin transfer oscillator including a magnetic stack including at least two magnetic layers, at least one of the two magnetic layers is an oscillating layer that has variable direction magnetization and a current supply device configured to cause the flow of a current of electrons perpendicularly to the plane of the magnetic stack. The magnetic stack includes a device to generate inhomogeneities of current at the level of the surface of the oscillating layer and the intensity of the current supplied by the supply device is selected such that the magnetization of the oscillating layer has a consistent magnetic configuration, the magnetic configuration oscillating as a whole at the same fundamental frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Claire Baraduc, Bernard Dieny, Christophe Thirion, Nicolas De Mestier Du Bourg
  • Patent number: 8878617
    Abstract: An optical module for an atomic oscillator using a quantum interference effect includes a light source part to emit resonant light having two different wavelengths, a gas cell in which an alkali metal atom gas is enclosed and to which the resonant light is irradiated, a light detection part to detect an intensity of the resonant light transmitted through the gas cell, and a gas-flow generation part to generate a flow of the alkali metal atom gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Nishida
  • Patent number: 8860515
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator, a control method of the atomic oscillator and a quantum interference apparatus are provided in which high frequency stability can be maintained even though EIT signal intensity changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Aoyama, Tetsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8854146
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved systems and methods for external frit mounted components on a sensor device. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a sensor device comprises securing at least one component stack on a sensor body over at least one opening in the sensor body, wherein the at least one component stack comprises a plurality of components and applying a frit to the plurality of components in the at least one component stack and the sensor body. The method further comprises heating the frit, the at least one component stack, and the sensor body such that the frit melts and cooling the frit, the at least one component stack, and the sensor body such that the at least one component stack is secured to the sensor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Marie Schober, Jennifer S. Strabley, Bernard Fritz, James A. Vescera, Kenneth Salit, Delmer L. Smith, Terry Dean Stark
  • Publication number: 20140292426
    Abstract: An atomic oscillator includes an atomic cell in which an atom is enclosed, a magnetic field generation part to apply a magnetic field to the atomic cell, a reference oscillator which is controlled based on an atomic resonance signal outputted from the atomic cell and generates a reference signal, and a fractional N-PLL which receives the reference signal to generate a signal including a resonance frequency of the atom, in which when a maximum digit of the resonance frequency adjustable by the magnetic field generation part is a boundary digit, the fractional N-PLL can adjust at least a digit one digit higher than the boundary digit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Maki
  • Patent number: 8847692
    Abstract: Oscillators and method of operating the same are provided, the oscillators include a magnetic layer, and a magnetization fixing element configured to fix a magnetization direction of the magnetic layer. The oscillators generate a signal by using precession of a magnetic moment of the magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ung-hwan Pi, Sun-ae Seo, Kee-won Kim, In-jun Hwang, Kwang-seok Kim, Sung-chul Lee
  • Publication number: 20140285271
    Abstract: An optical module for an atomic oscillator using a quantum interference effect includes a light source part to emit resonant light having two different wavelengths, a gas cell in which an alkali metal atom gas is enclosed and to which the resonant light is irradiated, a light detection part to detect an intensity of the resonant light transmitted through the gas cell, and a gas-flow generation part to generate a flow of the alkali metal atom gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Tetsuo NISHIDA
  • Patent number: 8836438
    Abstract: An oscillator element according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a magnetoresistive element having a magnetization free layer, magnetization fixed layer, and a tunnel barrier layer. Provided on the magnetization free layer are a protection layer and an electrode having a point contact section where the electrode is partially in electrical contact with the protection layers. An interlayer insulating film is provided between the electrode and the protection layer. The area of the interface between the magnetization free layer and the tunnel barrier layer is larger than the surface area of the point contact section. Moreover, a portion of the protection layer in contact with the interlayer insulating film has a smaller thickness in a surface normal direction than the portion of the protection layer in contact with the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Maehara
  • Patent number: 8836437
    Abstract: An optical module for an atomic oscillator using a quantum interference effect includes a light source adapted to emit light including a fundamental wave having a predetermined wavelength, and sideband waves of the fundamental wave, a wavelength selection section receiving the light from the light source, and adapted to transmit the sideband waves out of the light input, a gas cell encapsulating an alkali metal gas, and irradiated with light transmitted through the wavelength selection section, and a light detection section adapted to detect an intensity of light transmitted through the gas cell, and the wavelength selection section includes a fiber Bragg grating, and a temperature control section adapted to control temperature of the fiber Bragg grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Nishida