IP Library Granted Patent US 9,531,397
Granted Patent B2
US 9,531,397 · App. 14/973,796 · Granted Dec 27, 2016

Atomic resonance transition device, atomic oscillator, timepiece, electronic apparatus and moving object

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,531,397
App. No.
14/973,796
Granted
Dec 27, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An atomic resonance transition device includes an atomic cell in which an atom is sealed, a first light source part to emit a first light resonant with a D1 line of the atom in the atomic cell, a second light source part to emit a second light having a wavelength different from that of the first light and resonant with the D1 line or a D2 line of the atom in the atomic cell, and a detection part to detect a light beat due to interference between the first light and the second light passing through the atomic cell and to generate a beat signal.

Claims (23)

1. An atomic resonance transition device, comprising:

an atomic cell in which an atom is sealed;

a first light source that is configured to emit a first light resonant with a D1 line of the atom;

a second light source that is configured to emit a second light having a wavelength different from that of the first light and resonant with the D1 line or a D2 line of the atom;

a detector that is configured to detect a light beat due to interference between the first light and the second light passing through the atomic cell and to generate a beat signal;

a first controller that is configured to control the first light source and causes the wavelength of the first light to become a peak wavelength of an absorption spectrum of the atom; and

a second controller that is configured to control the second light source and causes the wavelength of the second light to become the peak wavelength of the absorption spectrum of the atom.

2. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 , wherein the second light is a light resonant with the D2 line of the atom.

3. An atomic oscillator comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 2 .

4. A timepiece comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 2 .

5. An electronic apparatus comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 2 .

6. A moving object comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 2 .

7. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 , wherein the second light is a light resonant with the D1 line of the atom.

8. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 , wherein the atom is an alkali metal atom.

9. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 8 , wherein the alkali metal atom is a cesium atom.

10. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 , wherein the first controller is configured to control the first light source and causes the wavelength of the first light to become a peak wavelength of a saturated absorption spectrum of the atom.

11. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 10 , wherein the first light and the second light intersect each other in the atomic cell.

12. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 , wherein the second controller is configured to control the second light source and causes the wavelength of the second light to become a peak wavelength of a saturated absorption spectrum of the atom.

13. The atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 , further comprising an output part to output a clock signal by using the beat signal.

14. An atomic oscillator comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 .

15. A timepiece comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 .

16. An electronic apparatus comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 .

17. A moving object comprising an atomic resonance transition device according to claim 1 .

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 Dec 18, 2015
From: YOSHIDA, HIROYUKI; HAYASHI, NOBUHITO
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037323/0126 →