A Solid-State Atomic Frequency Standard
Abstract
This paper describes a new class of frequency reference. The frequency source uses the same operating principle as a passive atomic frequency standard; however, the device is entirely solid-state, removing many cost and reliability issues associated with gas phase atomic clocks. More specifically, the "atomic resonance" is derived from zero-field magnetic resonance transitions of the vanadium ion in magnesium oxide. The characteristics of these resonances will be described in detail. The apparatus for measuring the "atomic" resonances uses a microwave resonant cavity and frequency-discriminator circuit. Using integrated circuits, the radio-frequency signal processing functions can be implemented at very low cost in a reliable manufacturing process. We discuss the system design and the measurement sensitivity. The estimated short term stability is in the range of 10^(-8) to 10^(-9) @ 1 s. Advantages of the new frequency reference may include immunity to vibration, reduced aging compared to crystal oscillators, and immediate cold start.
Additional Information
© 2005 IEEE. Issue Date: 29-31 Aug. 2005. Date of Current Version: 16 January 2006. The authors thank Richard Bramley for generously discussing his earlier zero-field paramagnetic resonance work. Thanks also to James White for assisting with the resonator fabrication, and to Philip Feng for annealing the magnesium oxide crystals.Additional details
Identifiers
- Eprint ID
- 25106
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20110825-151120289
Dates
- Created
-
2011-08-25Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
-
2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field
Caltech Custom Metadata
- Series Name
- Proceedings of the IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium and Exposition
- Other Numbering System Name
- INSPEC Accession Number
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 8903689