Optical module and atomic oscillator
View Patent ↗An optical module of an atomic oscillator using a quantum interference effect includes a light source to generate first light including a fundamental wave having a center wavelength, and including a first sideband wave and a second sideband wave having wavelengths that are different from each other, a wavelength selection unit that emits second light by selecting the first sideband wave and the second sideband wave of the first light and by allowing them to pass through, a gas cell in which an alkali metal gas is sealed and to which the second light is irradiated, and a light detection unit that detects an intensity of the second light passing through the gas cell.
1. An optical module of an atomic oscillator, comprising:
a light source generating first light, the first light including a fundamental wave and sideband wave of the fundamental wave;
a wavelength selection unit that allows the sideband wave to pass therethrough, reduces the fundamental wave, and emits second light;
a gas cell in which an alkali metal gas is sealed and to which the second light is irradiated; and
a light detection unit that detects an intensity of the second light passing through the gas cell.
2. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength selection unit is an etalon.
3. The optical module according to claim 2 , wherein
the etalon includes a first mirror and a second mirror that reflect the first light and that face each other, and a base plate disposed between the first mirror and the second mirror, and
the base plate is made of a compound semiconductor material.
4. The optical module according to claim 3 , further comprising a substrate, wherein
the substrate is made of a compound semiconductor material,
the light source is a semiconductor laser, and
the etalon and the light source are provided on the substrate.
5. The optical module according to claim 4 , wherein
the base plate of the etalon includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer in this order from a side of the substrate,
a refractive index of the first layer and a refractive index of the third layer are smaller than a refractive index of the second layer, and
the second layer transmits the first light.
6. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is an edge emitting laser.
7. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is a surface emitting laser.
8. The optical module according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength selection unit is a fiber grating.
9. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 1 .
10. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 2 .
11. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 3 .
12. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 4 .
13. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 5 .
14. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 6 .
15. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 7 .
16. An atomic oscillator comprising the optical module according to claim 8 .