Atomic oscillator and frequency signal generation system
An atomic oscillator includes a light source, an atom cell containing a gaseous alkali metal atom, and a nitrogen- and argon-containing buffer gas, and through which light from the light source passes, a photodetector that detects light having passed through the atom cell, and a container containing nitrogen gas and housing the atom cell. The container has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, a fourth surface, a fifth surface, and a sixth surface. The first surface has a first through hole. At least one of the second surface, the third surface, the fourth surface, the fifth surface, and the sixth surface has a second through hole.
1. An atomic oscillator comprising:
a light source;
an atom cell containing a gaseous alkali metal atom, and a nitrogen- and argon-containing buffer gas, and through which light from the light source passes;
a photodetector that detects light having passed through the atom cell; and
a container containing nitrogen gas and housing the atom cell, the container having a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, a fourth surface, a fifth surface, and a sixth surface,
the first surface has a first through hole,
at least one of the second surface, the third surface, the fourth surface, the fifth surface, and the sixth surface has a second through hole.
2. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first through hole is a hole for supplying the nitrogen gas,
the light source and the atom cell are disposed on the same side of a first imaginary plane as the first through hole, and
the first imaginary plane is a plane that passes through a center of the container, and is parallel to the first surface.
3. The atomic oscillator according to claim 2 , wherein the second through hole is positioned on the opposite side of the first imaginary plane from the first through hole.
4. The atomic oscillator according to claim 3 , wherein:
the second through hole is positioned on the opposite side of a second imaginary plane from the first through hole, and
the second imaginary plane is a plane that passes through the center of the container, and is perpendicular to the first surface.
5. The atomic oscillator according to claim 4 , wherein:
the third surface joins the first surface, and
the third surface has the second through hole.
6. An atomic oscillator comprising:
a light source;
an atom cell containing a gaseous alkali metal atom, and a nitrogen- and argon-containing buffer gas, and through which light from the light source passes;
a photodetector that detects light having passed through the atom cell; and
a container containing argon gas and housing the atom cell, the container having a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, a fourth surface, a fifth surface, and a sixth surface,
the first surface has a first through hole, and
at least one of the second surface, the third surface, the fourth surface, the fifth surface, and the sixth surface has a second through hole.
7. The atomic oscillator according to claim 6 , wherein:
the first through hole is a hole for supplying the argon gas, and
the light source and the atom cell are disposed on the same side of a first imaginary plane as the first through hole, and
the first imaginary plane is a plane that passes through a center of the container, and is parallel to the first surface.
8. The atomic oscillator according to claim 7 , wherein the second through hole is disposed on the opposite side of the first imaginary plane from the first through hole.
9. The atomic oscillator according to claim 8 , wherein:
the second through hole is positioned on the opposite side of a second imaginary plane from the first through hole, and
the second imaginary plane is a plane that passes through the center of the container, and is perpendicular to the first surface.
10. The atomic oscillator according to claim 9 , wherein:
the third surface joins the first surface, and
the third surface has the second through hole.
11. A frequency signal generation system comprising:
an atomic oscillator,
wherein the atomic oscillator includes
a light source;
an atom cell containing a gaseous alkali metal atom, and a nitrogen- and argon-containing buffer gas, and through which light from the light source passes;
a photodetector that detects light having passed through the atom cell; and
a container containing either nitrogen gas or argon gas and housing the atom cell,
the container has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, a fourth surface, a fifth surface, and a sixth surface,
the first surface has a first through hole,
at least one of the second surface, the third surface, the fourth surface, the fifth surface, and the sixth surface has a second through hole.