Quantum interference device, atomic oscillator, electronic apparatus, and moving object

• US 10,396,810 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2017
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Maki, Yoshiyuki, Hayashi, Nobuhito
• Primary Examiner(s): Gannon, Levi
• Application Number:
  US15/465,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20170288688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 331 3, 331 68, 331 69, 331 941
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 5/14 using atomic clocks
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/005 Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping H01S5/026, H01S5/18388 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/02212 Can-type, e.g. TO-CAN housings with emission along or parallel to symmetry axis
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/02325 Mechanically integrated components on mount members or optical micro-benches
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0687 Stabilising the frequency of the laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/183 having only vertical cavities, e.g. vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers [VCSEL]
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 17/00 Generation of oscillations using radiation source and detector, e.g. with interposed variable obturator
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 1/04 Constructional details for maintaining temperature constant
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/26 using energy levels of molecules, atoms, or subatomic particles as a frequency reference

Abstract

A quantum interference device includes an atomic cell, a light source, a light detector, a package, and a reflective portion. The atomic cell has alkali metal atoms disposed within, and the light source emits light to excite the alkali metal atoms in the atomic cell. The light detector detects light transmitted through the atomic cell. The package defines an internal space and houses at least the light source. The reflective portion is provided between an inner surface of the package and the light source, and has reflectance to an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 4 μm, where the reflectance is greater than or equal to 50%.

Claims

1. A quantum interference device comprising:

an atomic cell that has alkali metal atoms disposed therewithin;

a light source that emits light for exciting the alkali metal atoms in the atomic cell;

a light detector that detects the light transmitted through the atomic cell;

a package that defines an internal space and houses at least the light source; and

a reflective portion provided between an inner surface of the package and the light source, and that has reflectance to an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength of 4 μ

m, wherein the reflectance of the reflective portion is greater than or equal to 50%,

wherein the reflective portion is provided on an outer surface of the light source.

2. The quantum interference device according to claim 1,

wherein the reflective portion is provided on a side of the light source from which the light is emitted.

3. The quantum interference device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a support member that supports the light source,

wherein the reflective portion is continuously provided on the support member.

4. The quantum interference device according to claim 1, wherein a pressure of the internal space is lower than atmospheric pressure.

5. The quantum interference device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a support member that supports the atomic cell and the light source with respect to the package,

wherein a thermal conductivity of the support member is equal to or greater than 0.1 W·

m<sup>−

1</sup>·

K<sup>−

1</sup> and equal to or less than 40.0 W·

m<sup>−

1</sup>·

K<sup>−

1</sup>.

6. An atomic oscillator comprising:

the quantum interference device according to claim 1.

7. An electronic apparatus comprising:

the quantum interference device according to claim 1.

8. A moving object comprising:

the quantum interference device according to claim 1.