Miniature neutral atom source and optical clock comprising such a neutral atom source

Abstract

Atoms source comprising a charged particles trap (11), the trap comprising at least: - A housing (12) forming at least one chamber, - One cathode (23) arranged being slotted and arranged in the chamber, - One anode arranged inside the chamber, the slotted cathode being formed by a substrate (25) which at least one face is covered at least in part by a layer (26) of a predetermined metal, so that the source could produce, in service, atoms and / or ions from this predetermined metal, the chamber comprising at least one opening for extraction of said atoms and / or ions outside of said chamber. Optical clock comprising such an atoms source.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITTLE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Miniature Neutral Atom Source and optical clock comprising such a neutral atom source .

[0004] The present invention is dedicated to a atoms source .

[0005] The present invention is also dedicated to an optical clock comprising such an atoms source .

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Precision timing and time synchronization technologies are used in a lot of different applications like multi-static radar, very large baseline interferometry (VLBI ) , and synthetic aperture imaging .

[0008] Traditional microwave atomic clocks are based on microwave resonances in atoms and molecules and are operating at frequencies under 15 Gigahertz (GHz) . The precision of an atomic clock is proportional to the Q-factor of its resonance, which is defined as resonance frequency divided by the resonance width.

[0009] In order to achieve higher Q-factors, and therefore higher precision, the next generation of optical atomic clocks was developed to work at resonance frequencies much higher than the microwave regime, e . g. optical frequencies above 100 THz . Many of these optical clocks use non-traditional atomic species, beyond the usual alkali series (rubidium and caesium) , like Strontium (Sr) , Ytterbium (Yb) and Calcium (Ca) .

[0010] Unfortunately, said optical clocks require oven sources so that a sufficient vapor density of these non-traditional atomic species could be generated for clock operations .

[0011] Unfortunately, even carefully designed, oven sources have low reliability, making them undesirable for some application like space applications . They are also very energy-consuming as they require high power to operate .OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An aim of the invention is to propose a solution that is less energy-consuming .

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of achieving at least partly this aim, an atoms source is proposed, said source comprising a charged particles trap, the trap comprising at least :

[0015] A housing forming at least one chamber,

[0016] At least one cathode arranged inside the chamber, said cathodes being slotted,

[0017] One anode arranged inside the chamber .

[0018] According to the invention, the slotted cathode is formed by a substrate which at least one face is covered at least in part by a layer of a predetermined metal so that the source could produce, in service, neutral atoms and / or ionized atoms from this predetermined metal ,

[0019] the chamber comprising at least one opening for extraction of said neutral atoms and / or ionized atoms outside of said chamber .

[0020] The invention permits to source at least one desired atomic and / or ionic specie (s) by coating the substrate with the layer of predetermined metal made at least in part with this desired atomic specie ( s ) .

[0021] Advantageously, the invention permits to generate a cloud containing one or several non-tradit ional atomic species and / or ionic species that is less energy consuming than prior art solutions . Advantageously, the invention could permit to generate a cloud containing one or several non-tradit ional atomic species and / or ionic species that are different than the ones of alkaline metal .

[0022] Therefore, the invention operates with lower power requirements and / or enables operations on smaller and / or mobile platforms, and / or is more environmentally friendly.

[0023] Optionally, the housing and / or the substrate is made at least in part in silicon.

[0024] Optionally, the substrate is formed by the housing itself .Optionally, the layer is made, at least in part, from an alkaline earth metal and / or lanthanoids .

[0025] Optionally, the layer is made, at least in part, from one or several of the following elements : Calcium, Ytterbium or Strontium.

[0026] Optionally, the atoms source comprises another cathode that is not slotted.

[0027] Optionally, the slotted cathode is circled by the anode .

[0028] Optionally, the atoms source comprises a second anode .

[0029] Optionally, the housing forms at least a second chamber .

[0030] The invention comprises also an optical clock comprising an atoms source as disclosed above, the opening of the atoms source being connected to a chamber of the optical clock.

[0031] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge upon reading the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[0032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention will be best understood in the light of the following description, in reference to the accompanying figures, among which :

[0034] [Fig. 1 ] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an optical clock in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0035] [Fig. 2 ] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a cross section of a hybridized atoms source of the optical clock of figure 1 ;

[0036] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic top view of a cross section of the hybridized atoms source illustrated figure 2.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] In figures 1 to 3, an optical clock 1 is presented according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0039] This optical clock 1 comprises a clock chamber 2.

[0040] This clock chamber 2 is linked in one part to one or several laser sources 3 and in another part to at least one atoms source 9.

[0041] The laser sources 3 are preferably arranged to produce narrow band continuous beams 4 that are suitable for laser cooling and optical transition spectroscopy. Thus, the optical clock 1 could beable to implement spectroscopic techniques like, for example spectroscopic techniques suitable for interrogating a high Q-factor resonance .

[0042] The optical clock 1 also comprises a local oscillator 5 like for example a low-phase noise crystal oscillator .

[0043] The optical clock 1 also comprises a frequency comb module 6 (which generates a "comb" of stable optical reference frequencies) .

[0044] The optical clock 1 also comprises a detector module 7. The detector module 7 is configurated to beat the laser pulses, generated by the laser sources 3, against the "comb" in order to produce a radio-frequency reference tone that can be used to steer the local oscillator 5. The output signal of the optical clock 1 is typically the output of the local oscillator 5.

[0045] The optical clock 1 could also comprise one or several additional modules 8 for example stabilizing the laser sources 3 and / or managing the optical clock 1 like for example for steering the local oscillator 5 and / controlling the voltage field and / or the magnetic field inside the atoms source 9.

[0046] The atoms source 9 permits to introduce into the clock chamber 2 a cloud 10 of particles comprising at least one particular atomic (i . e . neutral atoms) and / or ionic (i . e . ionized atoms) species of interest .

[0047] As visible in figures 2 and 3, the atoms source 9 comprises a charged particles trap 11.

[0048] Said trap 11 comprises at least a housing 12 as to form at least one chamber . In the present case, the housing 12 is configured to form at least two chambers : a main chamber 13 and at least one additional chamber 14. The additional chamber 14 is the one connected to the clock chamber 2 .

[0049] Optionally the housing 12 comprises a base 15 and side walls 16 extending from the base 15. The side walls 16 create a closed periphery around the base 15. The side walls 16 may be vertical . The side walls 16 may extend orthogonally to the base 15.

[0050] Moreover, the housing 12 comprises a cover 17 that closes the housing 12. To this end, the cover 17 rests on the upper faces ofthe side walls 16. The housing 12 could then be hermetically sealed, or not, by this cover 17. For example, the cover 17 is welded onto the rest of the housing 12. For example, the cover 17 is laser welded onto the rest of the housing 12. Alternatively, the cover 17 is anodically bonded and / or fusion bonded to the housing 12, for example using techniques known to the semiconductor industry.

[0051] The housing 12 is for example made of at least in part in silicon. For example, the base 15 and the side walls 16 are made at least in part in silicon. For example, all the base 15 and side walls 16 are made from silicon. Silicon is in fact convenient as a low cost and / or masse manufacturable means of manufacturing.

[0052] However, this embodiment is not limitative and the housing 12 could be made at least in part in another material than silicon. For example, the housing 12 could be made at least in part in at least one of the following materials (and preferably is all made from one or several of the following materials) : steel (like stainless steel) and / or titanium and / or glass (like specialized glass, such as, for example borosilicate glass) and / or quartz and / or aluminium oxide (like for example transparent aluminium oxide also called sapphire)

[0053] The cover 17 could be in the same material than the rest of the housing 12 or could be in another material . In the present case, at least the cover 17 is made at least in part in a different material than the rest of the housing 12. For example, the cover 17 is made at least in part in at least one of the following materials (and preferably is all made from one or several of the following materials) : steel (like stainless steel) and / or titanium and / or glass (like specialized glass, such as, for example borosilicate glass) and / or quartz and / or aluminium oxide (like for example transparent aluminium oxide also called sapphire) ....

[0054] The housing 12 also comprises at least one anode arranged inside the housing 12. For example, the housing 12 comprises at least two anodes arranged inside the housing 12. The two anodes 18 are arranged on opposite faces of a pair of faces of the housing 12.In the present case, a first anode 18 is arranged onto the cover 17, and in particular onto an inner face 19 of the cover 17 (i . e . the face facing towards the inside of the main chamber 13) . The second anode 20 is arranged onto the base 15 and in particular onto an inner face 21 of the base 15 (i . e . the face facing towards the inside of the main chamber 13) .

[0055] The inner face 21 of the base 15 is preferably parallel to the inner face 19 of the cover 17. For example, inner faces of the base 15 and the cover 17 extends longitudinally along a first axis X and extends laterally along a second axis Y, which is orthogonal to first axis X .

[0056] Here, both anodes 18, 20 are identical .

[0057] For example, each anode 18, 20 is shaped to form a ring and in particular a non-circular ring. For example, each anode 18, 20 is shaped to form a polygon ring and in particular a quadrilateral ring and in particular a square ring.

[0058] Optionally, each anode 18, 20 is flat . Optionally, each anode 18, 20 forms a square on the surface of the inner face of the base 15 or the cover 17.

[0059] Preferably, each anode 18, 20 is configured so as to not being closed in on itself . For example, each ring forming the anode 18 , 20 is opened in a section of said ring. Preferably, the opening 22 is arranged only on one segment of associated ring.

[0060] The two anodes 18, 20 are arranged opposite each other . The two anodes 18, 20 are thus aligned in at least two directions in space . Preferably, the two anodes 18, 20 are arranged in at least the first axis X and the second axis Y.

[0061] In the present case, anodes 18, 20 are only arranged onto a portion of the cover 17 and the base 15. The volume of the housing 12, delimited between the two anodes 18, 20, defines the main chamber 13. The remaining volume of the housing 12 defined the auxiliary chamber 14. The opening allows the extraction of atomic / ionic elements from the main chamber 13 to the auxiliary chamber 14.

[0062] The housing 12 also comprises at least one cathode and in the present case comprises two cathodes arranged on opposite faces of apair of faces of the housing 12. In the present case, the opposite faces are the same than the one associated with the anodes 18, 20.

[0063] Therefore, a first cathode 23 is arranged onto the inner face 19 of the cover 17 and a second cathode 24 is arranged onto the inner face 21 of the base 15. Thus, both cathodes 23, 24 are associated with the main chamber 13. It is noted that the auxiliary chamber 14 is free of electrodes (anodes as well as cathodes) .

[0064] In the present case, the first cathode 23 is arranged so as to be circled by the first anode 18. The second cathode 24 is arranged to be circled by the second anode 20.

[0065] Cathodes 23, 24 are different and in particular are different in terms of form and materials . However, preferably, the outer contour of each cathode 23, 24 is identical .

[0066] For example, outer contours are shaped to as to form a polygon and in particular a quadrilateral and in particular a square . Optionally, the outer contours are not concentric to the square rings of the cathodes 23, 24. For example, the cathodes 23, 24 are arranged so as to be nearer to the auxiliary chamber 14 than a side wall 16 of the housing 12 opposite to the auxiliary chamber 14. For example, outer contours are shaped to form a square on the surface of the inner face of the base 15 or the cover 17.

[0067] The two cathodes 23, 24 are arranged opposite one to each other . The outer contours are thus aligned in at least two directions in space . Preferably, the two cathodes 23, 24 are arranged in at least the first axis X and the second axis Y.

[0068] The first cathode 23 is preferably flat . This first cathode 23 is for example shaped as a square . This first cathode 23 could be a specific part affixed to the inner face 19 of the cover 17 or could be formed by the cover 17 itself .

[0069] On the opposite, the second cathode 24 is not flat . In particular, said second cathode 24 is slotted. For example, the second cathode 24 is slotted at least in a central portion of said second cathode 24. In the present case, the second cathode 24 is slotted on the whole surface of said second cathode 24. Alternatively, theouter contour of the second cathode 24 could not be slotted. In this case, the rest of the second cathode 24 is preferably slotted.

[0070] Here, the second cathode 24 is crenelated. The second cathode 24 thus comprises upper zones forming the upper parts of the serrations and lower zones forming the lower parts of the serrations . For example, at least one, and in the present case all, the serrations are in a rectangular shape . Thus, the upper zones are flat and the lower zones are also flat . Preferably, the upper zones and the lower zones are parallel to each other . Preferably all upper zones extend in the same plane (parallel to a plane defining by the two axis X and Y) and all lower zones extends in the same plan, parallel to the one of the upper zones . The upper zones and / or the lower zones are preferably parallel to the inner face 21 of the base 15 and / or the inner face 19 of the cover 17. In the present case, the lower zones extend in the same plane than the inner face 21 of the base 15.

[0071] It should be understood that the upper parts are the parts of the second cathode 24 nearest the first cathode 23 and / or the cover 17 of the housing 12.

[0072] Slots are thus defined between the lower and upper parts of the serrations .

[0073] The second cathode 24 is configured so that the slots are preferably separated by a same interval (according to the first axis X) . It is reminded that the first axis X extends between the main chamber 13 to the auxiliary chamber 14. The second cathode 24 is also configurated so that the slots extend along the whole surface of the second cathode 24 according to the second axis Y.

[0074] The second cathode 24 is formed by a substrate 25 which, as disclosed above, is slotted. The substrate 25 is for example formed by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) .

[0075] In the present case, the substrate 25 is made by the housing 12 itself and for example by the base 15 itself . Therefore, in the present case, the substrate 25 is made of silicon. It is then noted that the substrate 25 is not made here from a transition material like for example titanium.The substrate 25 is covered at least in part by a layer 26 of a predetermined material so that the layer 26 of predetermined material forms, at least in part, the upper face of the substrate 25 and / or the second cathode 24 (i . e . the face facing the interior of the main chamber 13) .

[0076] In the present case, all slots of the substrate 25 are recovered with this layer 26. Therefore, the layer 26 is also slotted.

[0077] Said layer 26 can be deposited for example by evaporation onto the substrate 25 through a shadow mask. This mask will permit to separate layer 26 from the second anode 20 so that both zones (layer 26 and second anode 20) could be electrically isolated.

[0078] Said layer 26 is here made of another material than the one of the substrate 25. Therefore, said layer 26 is not made of silicon. It is then noted that the layer 26 is not made here from a transition material, like for example titanium, or an alkaline metal . For example, said layer 26 is made, at least in part, from a metal and for example from an alkaline earth metal and / or lanthanoids . For example, said layer 26 is made, at least in part, from one or several of the following elements : Calcium, Ytterbium or Strontium.

[0079] Therefore, said layer 26 is made from at least one material which composition comprises one or several specific atomic elements ( for example Calcium and / or Ytterbium and / or Strontium, etc . ) .

[0080] Therefore, in service, one or several particular neutral atoms ( for example Calcium and / or Ytterbium and / or Strontium, etc . ) and / or one or several particular ions ( for example Ca2+and / or Sr2+and / or Yb2+and / or Yb3+, etc . ) could be provided to the clock chamber 2. These particular neutral atoms and / or ions are advantageously suitable for optical atomic clock operations or other applications .

[0081] The trap 11 is arranged so that to act like a Penning trap . Therefore, the trap 11 is subj ected in service to an electric field as well to a magnetic field that constrains the motion of charge particles including electrons and ions .

[0082] For example, the first anode 18 (respectively the second anode 20) is held at a higher electrical potential than the second cathode24 (respectively the first cathode 23) so as to establish an electrical field therebetween. Optionally the first anode 18 (respectively the second anode 20) is held at a positive potential and the second cathode 24 (respectively the first cathode 23) is held at ground. The electric field permits to confine charge particles axially (according to a third axis Z orthogonal to the first axis X and second axis Y) in the main chamber 13.

[0083] For example, the atoms source 9 comprises external magnets and / or at least one coil to generate a magnetic field B into the main chamber 13. The magnetic field permits to confine charge particles radially in the main chamber 13.

[0084] In service, high voltage is established between the first anode 18 (respectively the second anode 20) and the second cathode 24 (respectively the first cathode 23) and the magnetic field B is generated into the main chamber 13. By "high voltage" it is meaned a voltage higher than 100 volts and for example higher than 5000 volts and for example higher than 7000 volts and for example higher than 10 000 volts .

[0085] Therefore, an electron flow, trapped into the main chamber 13, moves in a circular cyclotron pattern into the main chamber 13 between the first anode 18 (respectively the second anode 20) and the second cathode 24 (respectively the first cathode 23) . This increases the probability of scattering between the electrons and a neutral gas present inside the main chamber 13.

[0086] Scattering events produce ions, which are accelerated by the electrical field, in the direction of the second cathode 24.

[0087] Some of said ions strike the second cathode 24 so as to be implemented into said second cathode 24 and some of said ions strike the second cathode 24 so as to sputter neutral atoms and ions from the second cathode 24. As the second cathode 24 is covered by the layer 26, the sputter neutral atoms and ions are the one of said layer 26.

[0088] Therefore, a cloud of layer 26 neutral atoms and ions is generated in the main chamber 13.A part of these sputtered neutral atoms is ionized by the trapped electrons, producing more ions, that are accelerated into the second cathode 24, scattering even more neutral atoms and ions . This results in exponential growth of scattering events .

[0089] A part of these sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions is also extracted to the auxiliary chamber 14.

[0090] For example, neutral atoms and / or ions could be extracted from the main chamber 13 using extraction means as :

[0091] optical means (like magneto-optical extractor such as resonant light that imparts momentum to the atoms and / or far-off-resonant light that traps the atoms) , and / or

[0092] electrostatic means (like magneto-static extractor) .

[0093] Said extraction means could be used also for transferring neutral atoms and / or ions from the auxiliary chamber 14 to the clock chamber 2. Alternatively, other extraction means (than the one dedicated to the transfer for the main chamber 12 to the auxiliary chamber 14 ) could be used for the transfer from the auxiliary chamber 14 to the clock chamber 2. Other extraction means could be :

[0094] optical means (like magneto-optical extractor such as resonant light that imparts momentum to the atoms and / or far-off-resonant light that traps the atoms) , and / or

[0095] electrostatic means (like magneto-static extractor) .

[0096] Figure 2 illustrates a possible way to extract neutral atoms and / or ions from the main chamber 12 to the clock chamber 2. In this case, the extraction means are optical means . In this case, the cover 17 is made at least in part in a transparent material .

[0097] In service, extraction means are arranged to produce counterpropagating beams 30, 31 of far-off resonant light . One beam 30 is emitted through the cover 17 and the other beam 31 is emitted through a wall of the clock chamber 2, said beams 30, 31 extending in the same direction but in opposite sides (one directed to the other) . It is then understood that said wall of the clock chamber 2 is made at least in part in a transparent material for the transmission of the beam 31. Said beams 30, 31 then create an optical dipole trap such as a one-dimensional optical conveyor belt . Said beam 30, 31trap and transfer atoms to the clock chamber 2 (through a port 32, extending between an opening arranged in the housing at the level of the auxiliary chamber 14 and an opening of the clock chamber 32 ) , allowing neutral atoms and / or ions to pass from the auxiliary chamber 14 to the clock chamber 2 ) . By defining the sections of the openings and of the port 32, it is advantageously possible to control the diffusion of neutral atoms and / or ions inside the clock chamber 2 via one or several of the beams 30, 31. According to another alternative, extraction means emits only one resonant laser light through the cover 17. Said resonant laser light imparts momentum to neutral atoms and / or ions causing them to move in the direction of the clock chamber 2 (though the port 32 ) . By defining the sections of the openings and of the port 32, it is advantageously possible to control the diffusion of neutral atoms and / or ions inside the clock chamber 2 via the resonant laser light .

[0098] In any case, these sputtered atoms and / or ions are transferred to the clock chamber 2 .

[0099] The disclosed atoms source 9 permits to generate a cloud of particles containing desired neutral atomic and / or ionic species (as the particles are from the layer 26 that is in a particular desired material) . In particular, the disclosed atoms source 9 permits to generate a cloud of particles containing species that is to be sourced as the desired neutral atoms and / or ions for the optical atomic clock 1 .

[0100] Said atoms source 9 could be called hybridized atoms source 9 as it permits to produce both neutral atoms and ionized atoms (i . e . ions) .

[0101] It could be seen that said atoms source 9 acts like a modified ion-pump .

[0102] It is advantageously associated with extraction means of the optical clock 1 so that neutral atoms and / or ions could be transferred from the main chamber 12 to the clock chamber 2 (here via the auxiliary chamber 14 which remains optional) .

[0103] Advantageously, said atoms source 9 leverages the sputtered production of neutral atoms and / or ions .Furthermore, said atoms source 9 is consistent with a chipscale implementation and / or wafer level mass fabrication.

[0104] Moreover, said atoms source 9 could support dilute vapor production at densities between 109and 1011particules per cubic centimeters and for example around 1010particules per cubic centimeters .

[0105] Moreover, said atoms source 9 could be used in vacuum condition and in particular in ultra-high vacuum ( from about 10-7Torr) .

[0106] For example, said atoms source 9 could support ultra-high vacuum (i . e . under 10-7Torr) at low pumping speeds (under 10 millilitres per second) .

[0107] Advantageously, said atoms source 9 is relatively low energy consuming and for example consumes less than 1 watt and for example consumes less than 1 milliwatt to operate .

[0108] Moreover, said atoms source 9 could operate in a range of temperatures from below freezing to very hot environments . For example, said atoms source 9 could operate at temperatures comprise between - 40 Celsius degrees to 90 Celsius degrees . Advantageously, said atoms source 9 could operate without oven.

[0109] Furthermore, said atoms source 9 is a miniature atom source 9 i . e . is an atom source that presents a volume equal or less than 0.2 liter preferably equal or less than 0.1 liter . For example, the dimensions of the atoms source 9 are 50 by 50 by 25 millimeters .

[0110] Advantageously, the voltage and / or the magnetic field applied inside the atoms source 9 could be controlled ( for example by one of the modules 8 ) in order to control extraction of desirable atomic and / or ionic species . Preferably a desirable balance is made between control extraction of desirable atomic and / or ionic species and maintenance of sufficiently low vacuum inside (at least) the main chamber 12 for example to support long clock interrogation times .

[0111] It could be noted that operations of electric and magnetic fields inside the atoms source 9 may cause shifts in the resonance frequency for the optical atomic clock 1. Therefore, it may be desirable to operate the atoms source in a pulsed manner and inparticular to interleave atoms source operations with clock operations .

[0112] The invention is not limited to the embodiments, which have just been described, but on the contrary, includes any variant having, with equivalent means, the main features stated above .

[0113] Although the anodes are formed by additional parts arranged onto the housing, at least one anode could be formed directly by the housing (cover, side wall or base) .

[0114] The housing could comprise another number of anodes like for example only one anode or more than two anodes .

[0115] Although the first cathode is formed by additional part arranged onto the housing, the first cathode could be formed directly by the housing (cover, side wall or base) .

[0116] Although the substrate of the second cathode is formed by the housing, the substrate of the second cathode could be formed by additional part arranged onto the housing.

[0117] The housing could comprise another number of cathodes like for example one cathode or more than two cathodes .

[0118] Although the housing has an inner and outer rectangular or square form, the housing could be of other form like a cylindrical inner form and / or a cylindrical outer form.

[0119] At least one of the cathodes or the anodes could have a different outer contour than a square . For example, at least one of the cathodes or the anodes could have an outer contour which is circular or semi-circular .

[0120] The anodes could be arranged in opposite faces of the housing that are not the ones associated with the cathodes .

[0121] Also, at least a part of the sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions are extracted into the auxiliary chamber for clocking application, the sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions could be extracted into the auxiliary chamber for other applications : sensing application, clocking application, quantum timing, synchronization application, oscillator application, etc . At least a portion of said sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions could be probed for example by spectroscopic means .Alternatively, or completely to the extraction of sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions into the auxiliary chamber, at least a part of the sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions could also be probed directly inside the main chamber for : sensing application, clocking application, quantum timing, synchronization application, oscillator application, etc . To this end, at least a portion of said sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions could be probed for example by spectroscopic means .

[0122] Therefore, the housing could comprise only one chamber or a bigger number of chambers than two .

[0123] The auxiliary chamber could also act simply as an intermediate chamber ( for example for cooling and / or trapping and / or transferring to other chamber (s) or to the outside of the atoms source, the sputtered neutral atoms and / or ions) . In this case no probing or sensing or measuring operation would be implemented inside the auxiliary chamber .

[0124] The atoms source could comprise additional element . For example, the ion-pump could comprise a non-evaporable getter (NEG) . The NEG could be arranged inside the main chamber .

[0125] Also, the described atoms source was used in cooperation with an optical clock (like for example an optical clock working at high frequencies e . g. frequencies upper than 100 THz) , the described ionpump could be used in a lot of different applications : sensing application, clocking application, quantum timing, synchronization application, oscillator application, etc .

[0126] The disclosed ion-pump could be mounted into drones, nano-sat-ellites, dismounted soldiers, unattended ground sensors, small and / or mobile platform such as satellite-based platforms, etc .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Atoms source comprising a charged particles trap ( 11 ) , the trap comprising at least :A housing ( 12 ) forming at least one chamber,One cathode (24 ) arranged inside the chamber, said cathode being slotted,One anode arranged inside the chamber,characterized in that the slotted cathode (24 ) is formed by a substrate (25) which at least one face is covered at least in part by a layer (26) of a predetermined metal so that the source could produce, in service, neutral atoms and / or ionized atoms from this predetermined metal,the chamber comprising at least one opening for extraction of said neutral atoms and / or ionized atoms outside of said chamber .

2. Atoms source according to claim 1, wherein the housing and / or the substrate (25) is made at least in part in silicon.

3. Atoms source according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the substrate (25) is formed by the housing itself .

4. Atoms source according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the layer (26) is made, at least in part, from an alkaline earth metal and / or lanthanoids .

5. Atoms source according to claim 4, wherein the layer (26) is made, at least in part, from one or several of the following elements : Calcium, Ytterbium or Strontium.

6. Atoms source according to any of claims 1 to 5, comprising another cathode (23) that is not slotted.

7. Atoms source according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the slotted cathode is circled by the anode .

8. Atoms source according to any of claims 1 to 7, comprising a second anode .

9. Atoms source according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing ( 12 ) forms at least a second chamber ( 14 ) .

10. Optical clock comprising an atoms source according to any of claims 1 to 9, the opening of the atoms source being connected to a chamber of the optical clock.

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