IP Library Granted Patent US 10,333,536
Granted Patent B2
US 10,333,536 · App. 15/695,567 · Granted Jun 25, 2019

Atomic oscillator, and electronic apparatus

Inventors: Yoshiyuki Maki (Suwa, JP); Koji Chindo (Suwa, JP)
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
H03L7/26G04F5/145H01S5/0085H01S5/02415H01S5/06804H03B17/00H01S5/005H01S5/02208H01S5/02276H01S5/0687H01S5/183
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,333,536
App. No.
15/695,567
Granted
Jun 25, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

An atomic oscillator includes: an atomic cell in which an alkali metal is sealed; a light-emitting element that emits light to be radiated to the atomic cell; a light-receiving element that detects the light transmitted through the atomic cell; a first optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the atomic cell and the light-emitting element; and a second optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the first optical element and the atomic cell. The first optical element reflects the light from the light-emitting element toward the light-emitting element in a first direction inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light. The second optical element reflects the light from the light-emitting element toward the light-emitting element in a second direction inclined in a direction different from the first direction with respect to the optical axis of the light.

Claims (41)

1. An atomic oscillator comprising:

an atomic cell in which an alkali metal is sealed;

a light-emitting element that emits light;

a first optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the atomic cell and the light-emitting element;

a second optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the first optical element and the atomic cell; and

a light-receiving element that detects the light transmitted through the atomic cell,

wherein the first optical element reflects the light from the light-emitting element toward the light-emitting element in a first direction inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light, and

wherein the second optical element reflects the light from the light-emitting element toward the light-emitting element in a second direction inclined in a direction different from the first direction with respect to the optical axis.

2. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1 ,

wherein an inclination angle of the second direction with respect to the optical axis is greater than an inclination angle of the first direction with respect to the optical axis.

3. An atomic oscillator comprising:

an atomic cell in which an alkali metal is sealed;

a light-emitting element that emits light;

a first optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the atomic cell and the light-emitting element, the first optical element including a first surface which is inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to an optical axis of the light and reflects the light from the light-emitting element,

a second optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the first optical element and the atomic cell, the second optical element including a second surface which is inclined in a different direction from the first surface with respect to the surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the light and reflects the light from the light-emitting element, and

a light-receiving element that detects the light transmitted through the atomic cell.

4. The atomic oscillator according to claim 3 ,

wherein an inclination angle of the second surface with respect to the surface perpendicular to the optical axis is greater than an inclination angle of the first surface with respect to the surface perpendicular to the optical axis.

5. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second optical element is a reflective light reduction filter.

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

a lens that is disposed between the atomic cell and the second optical element.

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

a quarter wavelength plate that is disposed between the atomic cell and the second optical element.

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

a first holding member that includes a first engagement portion and holds the first optical element; and

a second holding member that includes a second engagement portion engaging with the first engagement portion and holds the second optical element.

9. The atomic oscillator according to claim 8 , further comprising:

a package that accommodates the light-emitting element,

wherein the first optical element and the first holding member being at least a part of the package.

10. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1 ,

wherein reflectivity of the light of the second optical element is higher than reflectivity of the light of the first optical element.

11. An electronic apparatus comprising:

the atomic oscillator comprising:

an atomic cell in which an alkali metal is sealed;

a light-emitting element that emits light;

a first optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the atomic cell and the light-emitting element;

a second optical element that has light transmittance and is disposed between the first optical element and the atomic cell; and

a light-receiving element that detects the light transmitted through the atomic cell,

wherein the first optical element reflects the light from the light-emitting element toward the light-emitting element in a first direction inclined with respect to an optical axis of the light, and

wherein the second optical element reflects the light from the light-emitting element toward the light-emitting element in a second direction inclined in a direction different from the first direction with respect to the optical axis.

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 Sep 5, 2017
From: MAKI, YOSHIYUKI; CHINDO, KOJI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043490/0069 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2016-174575 · Sep 7, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180069559A1 · Mar 8, 2018