Atomic sensor physics package with integrated transmissive and reflective portions along light paths

• US 8,526,000 B1
• Filed: 05/29/2012
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Schober, Christina Marie, Vescera, James A., Strabley, Jennifer S.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, SANG H
• Application Number:
  US13/482,042
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 356432-444, 250/251, 250/573, 250/574, 250/575, 250/576, 372/20, 372/22
• US Class Current: 356/437
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/023 for extending or folding an optical path, e.g. delay lines
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/086 wherein the system is made of a single block of optical material, e.g. solid catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/00 Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 5/14 using atomic clocks

Abstract

In one embodiment, a block for a physics package of an atomic sensor is provided. The block comprises one or more sections of optically transparent material defining a vacuum sealed chamber, and including a plurality of transmissive and reflective surfaces to define a plurality of light paths intersecting the vacuum sealed chamber. The one or more sections of optically transparent material include a first monolithic section defining at least a portion of the vacuum sealed chamber. The first monolithic section includes a first portion disposed across a first light path of the plurality of light paths such that light in the first light path is incident on the first portion of the first monolithic section.

Claims

1. A method of forming a block for a physics package, the method comprising:

machining a monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form at least a portion of a vacuum sealed chamber;

machining the monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form at least a portion of a light path intersecting with the vacuum sealed chamber;

polish the monolithic mass of optically transparent material, wherein polishing includes etching a first surface at an end of the at least a portion of the light path such that the first surface is optically transparent;

machining the monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form a second surface reverse of the first surface and aligned with the portion of the light path;

polishing the second surface such that the second surface is optically transparent; and

attaching a chamber evacuation structure to a first exterior opening of the vacuum sealed chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

machining a second monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form at least a portion of the vacuum sealed chamber;

machining the second monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form a portion of another light path extending from the vacuum sealed chamber into the second monolithic mass of optically transparent material;

polishing the second monolithic mass of optically transparent material, wherein polishing includes etching a third surface at an end of the portion of the other light path such that the third surface is optically transparent;

machining the second monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form a fourth surface reverse of the third surface and aligned with the portion of the other light path;

polishing the fourth surface such that the fourth surface is optically transparent; and

fixedly attaching the second monolithic mass of optically transparent material to the monolithic mass of optically transparent material using a vacuum tight seal to form the block and the vacuum sealed chamber therethough.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein fixedly attaching includes fritting the second monolith mass of optically transparent material and the monolithic mass of optically transparent material together.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein machining the monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form a portion of a light path includes one or more of drilling a bore, polishing, and grinding.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising:

machining the monolithic mass of optically transparent material or another monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form a surface aligned with the portion of the light path; and

coating the surface with a reflective coating such that light in the light path is reflected off of the surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein machining the monolithic mass of optically transparent material to form a portion of a light path includes forming an exterior opening opposite the first surface for the light path, the method comprising:

fixedly attaching one of a window or a mirror using a vacuum tight seal over the exterior opening.