Diamond NV Oscillation Module for Stable Atomic Frequency Reference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing atomic oscillators using gas cells, such as those filled with cesium or rubidium, suffer from large size, high power consumption, and high costs, while oscillators using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond crystals face instability due to magnetic field fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

An oscillation module comprising a diamond substrate with nitrogen-vacancy centers, electrodes generating an electric field, a light source for excitation, and a photodetector for fluorescence detection, which stabilizes the energy level by applying an electric field and eliminates the need for a gas cell, achieving a compact and low-power design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a gas cell filled with alkali metal is used for atomic oscillation, then high accuracy is achieved, but device size becomes large, power consumption increases, and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoscillation accuracyVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the atomic medium from gaseous (requiring large vacuum chambers and heating) to solid-state (diamond crystal with nitrogen-vacancy centers), enabling compact integration while maintaining oscillation accuracy through quantum mechanical transitions of the color centers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gas cell structure with solid-state diamond crystal, eliminating the need for vacuum chambers, gas filling, and thermal management systems, thereby achieving miniaturization while preserving the atomic oscillation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond crystal is used, then device size is reduced, but energy level stability deteriorates due to magnetic field fluctuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidenergy level stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnetic shielding structure as an intermediary between the external magnetic field and the nitrogen-vacancy center, attenuating magnetic field fluctuations and protecting the quantum state from environmental interference, thereby stabilizing the energy level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies magnetic shielding and compensation techniques in advance to counteract magnetic field fluctuations before they can affect the nitrogen-vacancy center, preventing energy level instability rather than correcting it afterward

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond crystal is used, then device complexity is reduced, but oscillation stability deteriorates due to magnetic field influence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidoscillation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback control mechanisms that monitor the oscillation frequency and adjust operating parameters in real-time to compensate for magnetic field effects, maintaining stable oscillation despite environmental variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables stable frequency oscillation with high accuracy, reducing size and power consumption, and enhances frequency stability by minimizing magnetic field dependence.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of electrodes provided on the substrate and configured to generate an electric field when being applied with a voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

a light source configured to emit excitation light for exciting the composite defect to the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 3

a photodetector configured to detect fluorescence emitted from the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20250247051A1Oscillation module and atomic oscillator

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is an oscillation module 10 including a substrate 11 having a defect of an impurity and a vacancy, a plurality of electrodes 13 provided on the substrate 11 and configured to generate an electric field when being applied with a voltage, a light source 17 configured to emit excitation light for exciting the defect to the substrate 11, and a photodetector 4 configured to detect fluorescence emitted from the substrate 11. By using such an oscillation module 10, it is possible to implement an atomic oscillator 1 with high accuracy which is small in size and low in power consumption.