IP Library Granted Patent US 9,191,017
Granted Patent B2
US 9,191,017 · App. 14/177,487 · Granted Nov 17, 2015

Quantum interference device, atomic oscillator, and moving object

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,191,017
App. No.
14/177,487
Granted
Nov 17, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An atomic oscillator includes a base, a unit portion including a gas cell and the like, and a support member that supports the unit portion against the base. The support member includes a plurality of leg portions and a connecting portion that connects the plurality of leg portions to each other. A connection portion between each leg portion and the base is separated from the unit portion in plan view from a direction in which the base and the unit portion overlap each other.

Claims (29)

1. A quantum interference device, comprising:

a base portion;

a unit portion including a gas cell in which metal atoms are filled, a heating portion that generates heat, a light emitting portion that emits light to excite the metal atoms in the gas cell, and a light detecting portion that detects the light transmitted through the gas cell; and

a support portion that includes a plurality of leg portions whose one end is connected to the base portion and a connecting portion, which connects the plurality of leg portions to each other, and that supports the unit portion against the base portion,

wherein a connection portion between each of the leg portions and the base portion is separated from the unit portion in plan view from a direction in which the base portion and the unit portion overlap each other,

wherein the connecting portion has a through hole passing through the connecting portion in a direction in which the base portion and the unit portion overlap each other, and

wherein each of the leg portions has a hollow portion.

2. The quantum interference device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the support portion has a portion in which a heat transfer path from a connection portion between the unit portion and the support portion to a connection portion between each of the leg portions and the base portion is bent.

3. The quantum interference device according to claim 2 ,

wherein, assuming that a length of the heat transfer path is L, a sum of an average cross-sectional area of the support portion in the plurality of heat transfer paths is A, and a thermal conductivity of a material that forms the support portion is λ, a relationship of (1/λ)·(L/A)≧16800 is satisfied.

4. The quantum interference device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the connecting portion has a plate-like portion.

5. The quantum interference device according to claim 1 ,

wherein a side of the connecting portion and a side of the unit portion are separated from each other and are included in a region where the connecting portion and the unit portion face each other.

6. The quantum interference device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the hollow portion is in an atmosphere having lower pressure than atmospheric pressure.

7. An atomic oscillator, comprising:

the quantum interference device according to claim 1 .

8. A moving object, comprising:

the quantum interference device according to claim 1 .

9. A quantum interference device, comprising:

a base portion;

a unit portion including a gas cell in which metal atoms are filled, a heating portion that generates heat, a light emitting portion that emits light to excite the metal atoms in the gas cell, and a light detecting portion that detects the light transmitted through the gas cell; and

a support portion that includes a plurality of leg portions whose one end is connected to the base portion and a connecting portion, which connects the plurality of leg portions to each other, and that supports the unit portion against the base portion,

wherein each of the leg portions has a hollow portion, and

wherein a connection portion between each of the leg portions and the base portion is separated from the unit portion in plan view from a direction in which the base portion and the unit portion overlap each other.

10. The quantum interference device according to claim 9 ,

wherein the hollow portion is in an atmosphere having lower pressure than atmospheric pressure.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2022
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 061301/0770 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2014
From: MAKI, YOSHIYUKI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032193/0349 →