Waveguide Atomic Clock Layout for Compact Stable Frequency Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniaturized atomic clocks face challenges in reducing size and maintaining temperature stability, with prior solutions being costly and prone to optical instability due to the use of discrete optical components and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized atomic clock design incorporating optical waveguides to expand and transport light beams, reducing thickness to less than 15 mm by utilizing internal reflections within the waveguides, and employing advanced photo detectors for improved compactness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If discrete optical elements (beam splitters, lenses, prisms) are used to reduce the overall size of the optical system, then the device size is reduced, but the alignment and assembly complexity increases and optical stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple discrete optical elements (beam splitters, lenses, prisms) into a single monolithic optical component fabricated using micromachining techniques. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment and assembly of multiple components, reducing both device size and assembly complexity while improving optical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical assembly and alignment of discrete optical components with a monolithic structure fabricated using micromachining processes. This substitution eliminates mechanical alignment requirements and assembly complexity while maintaining the desired optical functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If the cavity size is reduced to achieve miniaturization, then the device size is reduced, but the temperature control stability becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film thermal isolation layers and flexible thermal management structures to maintain temperature stability in the miniaturized cavity. These thin films provide thermal insulation while allowing the cavity to maintain a stable temperature despite its reduced size.
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 achieves significant size reduction and improved stability, reducing the complexity and cost of assembly while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratios and frequency accuracy, making the atomic clock more suitable for portable applications.
Implementation Method 1
said optical waveguide being arranged to expand and transport a guided light beam provided by a light source, said optical waveguide providing an expanded light beam to the vapor cell
Implementation Method 2
CPT is a nonlinear phenomenon in atoms in which coherences (electromagnetic dipole moments) between atomic energy levels are excited by pairs of optical fields
Implementation Method 3
said photo detector being adapted to detect said optical frequency reference signal and to generate at least one reference signal
Data Source
AI summary
In the present invention a new atomic clock is proposed comprising: at least one light source adapted to provide an optical beam, at least one photo detector and a vapor cell comprising a first optical window, said optical beam being directed through said vapor cell for providing an optical frequency reference signal, said photo detector being adapted to detect said optical frequency reference signal and to generate at least one reference signal, wherein—said atomic clock comprises a first optical waveguide arranged to said first optical window, said first optical waveguide being arranged to incouple at least a portion of said optical beam, said first optical waveguide being sized and shaped so that said first guided light beam is expanded, a first outcoupler is arranged to outcouple at least a portion of said guided light beam to said vapor cell, —the thickness t of the atomic clock is smaller than 15 nm.