IP Library Granted Patent US 10,291,244
Granted Patent B2
US 10,291,244 · App. 15/347,002 · Granted May 14, 2019

Atomic oscillator and temperature control method of atomic oscillator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,291,244
App. No.
15/347,002
Granted
May 14, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

An atomic oscillator includes at least a gas cell that has metal atoms sealed therein, a coil that is disposed in a vicinity of the gas cell, a first magnetic shield that accommodates the gas cell and the coil therein, a second magnetic shield that accommodates a heater heating the gas cell, a first temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the gas cell, and the first magnetic shield therein, and a temperature adjustment unit and a second temperature sensor that are disposed outside the second magnetic shield.

Claims (50)

1. An atomic oscillator comprising:

a gas cell that has metal atoms sealed therein;

a coil that is disposed in a vicinity of the gas cell;

a first magnetic shield that accommodates the gas cell and the coil therein;

a heater that is configured to heat the gas cell;

a first temperature sensor that is configured to detect a temperature of the gas cell;

a second magnetic shield that accommodates the heater, the first temperature sensor, and the first magnetic shield therein;

a temperature adjustment element; and

a second temperature sensor that is disposed outside the second magnetic shield to detect a temperature,

wherein the heater is controlled based on the detected temperature by the first temperature sensor so as to maintain the gas cell at a first temperature,

the temperature adjustment element is controlled based on the detected temperature by the second temperature sensor so as to maintain the first magnetic shield at a second temperature, and

the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

2. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first temperature controller that is configured to control the operation of the heater based on the detected temperature by the first temperature sensor; and

a second temperature controller that is configured to control the operation of the temperature adjustment element based on the detected temperature by the second temperature sensor.

3. The atomic oscillator according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a power controller that is configured to control power which is supplied to the temperature adjustment element,

wherein the temperature adjustment element is connected to the second temperature controller via the power controller.

4. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1 ,

wherein the temperature adjustment element is a Peltier element.

5. A temperature control method of an atomic oscillator, the atomic oscillator including:

a gas cell that has metal atoms sealed therein;

a coil that is disposed in a vicinity of the gas cell;

a first magnetic shield that accommodates the gas cell and the coil therein;

a heater that is configured to heat the gas cell;

a first temperature sensor that is configured to detect a temperature of the gas cell,

a second magnetic shield that accommodates the heater the first temperature sensor, and the first magnetic shield therein;

a temperature adjustment element that is disposed outside of the second magnetic shield; and

a second temperature sensor that is disposed outside the second magnetic shield, the method comprising:

detecting the temperature of the gas cell by the first temperature sensor;

controlling an operation of the heater based on the detected temperature by the first temperature sensor so as to maintain the gas cell at a first temperature;

detecting a temperature of the second magnetic shield by the second temperature sensor; and

controlling an operation of the temperature adjustment element based on the detected temperature by the second temperature sensor so as to maintain the first magnetic shield at a second temperature,

wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

6. A temperature control method of an atomic oscillator, the atomic oscillator including,

a gas cell that has metal atoms sealed therein;

a coil that is disposed in a vicinity of the gas cell;

a first magnetic shield that accommodates the gas cell and the coil therein;

a heater that is configured to heat the gas cell;

a first temperature sensor that is configured to detect a temperature of the gas cell;

a second magnetic shield that accommodates the heater, the first temperature sensor, and the first magnetic shield therein;

a temperature adjustment element that is disposed outside of the second magnetic shield; and

a second temperature sensor that is disposed outside the second magnetic shield, the method comprising:

detecting the temperature of the gas cell by the first temperature sensor;

controlling an operation of the heater based on the detected temperature by the first temperature sensor so as to maintain the gas cell at a first temperature;

detecting a temperature of the second magnetic shield by the second temperature sensor;

controlling an operation of the temperature adjustment element based on the detected temperature by the second temperature sensor so as to maintain the first magnetic shield at a second temperature; and

controlling an amount of power which is output to the temperature adjustment element so as to maintain the first magnetic shield at a third temperature.

7. The temperature control method of an atomic oscillator according to claim 6 ,

wherein when the first temperature is T1, the second temperature is T2, and the third temperature is T3, T1>T3>T2 is established.

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 Nov 9, 2016
From: TANAKA, NORIAKI; CHINDO, KOJI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040268/0249 →