Disclosed is a device for interaction between a laser beam and a hyperfine energy transition of a chemical species. The device further includes an electro-optic modulator with a single sideband with an input optical waveguide suitable for receiving a source laser beam and an output optical waveguide suitable for generating an output laser beam and an electronic system suitable for generating and applying, simultaneously, a first modulated electrical signal, sin(Ω.sub.1t)) to a first hyperfrequency pulse on a first high-frequency electrode of the electro-optic modulator and, respectively, another modulated electrical signal, cos(Ω.sub.1t)) to the first pulse on another high-frequency electrode of the electro-optic modulator, in such a way as to frequency-switch the output laser beam to a first optical frequency offset from the first pulse with respect to the initial optical frequency.

An alkali metal vapor enclosure comprising: an internal surface comprising nanostructures; a transmissive portion to enable the internal surface to be illuminated; wherein the enclosure contains atoms of an alkali metal which are in a vapor state and/or adsorbed onto the internal surface; and wherein illumination of the internal surface via the transmissive portion with light having a frequency to cause a temperature rise in the nanostructures by exciting an enhanced optical extinction mechanism in the nanostructures, causes an increase in the density of the alkali metal vapor.

An alkali metal vapor enclosure comprising: an internal surface comprising nanostructures; a transmissive portion to enable the internal surface to be illuminated; wherein the enclosure contains atoms of an alkali metal which are in a vapor state and/or adsorbed onto the internal surface; and wherein illumination of the internal surface via the transmissive portion with light having a frequency to cause a temperature rise in the nanostructures by exciting an enhanced optical extinction mechanism in the nanostructures, causes an increase in the density of the alkali metal vapor.

Making alkali metal vapor cells includes: providing a preform wafer that includes cell cavities in a cavity layer; providing a sealing wafer having a cover layer and transmission apertures; disposing a deposition assembly on the sealing wafer; disposing an alkali metal precursor in the deposition assembly; disposing the sealing wafer on the preform wafer; aligning the transmission apertures with the cell cavities; subjecting the alkali metal precursor to a reaction stimulus; producing alkali metal vapor in the deposition assembly; communicating the alkali metal vapor to the cell cavities; receiving, in the cell cavities, the alkali metal vapor from the transmission apertures; producing an alkali metal condensate in the cell cavity; moving the sealing wafer such that the cover layer encapsulates the alkali metal condensate in the cell cavities; and bonding the sealing wafer to the preform wafer to make individually sealed alkali metal vapor cells in the preform wafer.

Systems and methods providing non-contact confinement and vibration isolation of electromagnetic resonators are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a device includes an electromagnetic resonator body. The device further includes a frame enclosing a volume, wherein the electromagnetic resonator is located within the volume. Additionally, the device includes a plurality of body electrodes mounted on the electromagnetic resonator body. Also, the device includes a plurality of frame electrodes mounted on the frame. Moreover, the device includes an electrode controller, wherein the electrode controller drives the plurality of frame electrodes to isolate the electromagnetic resonator body from vibrations to the frame by allowing a rattle space between external surfaces of the electromagnetic resonator body and internal surfaces of the frame to approach but be greater than zero.

Systems and methods providing non-contact confinement and vibration isolation of electromagnetic resonators are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a device includes an electromagnetic resonator body. The device further includes a frame enclosing a volume, wherein the electromagnetic resonator is located within the volume. Additionally, the device includes a plurality of body electrodes mounted on the electromagnetic resonator body. Also, the device includes a plurality of frame electrodes mounted on the frame. Moreover, the device includes an electrode controller, wherein the electrode controller drives the plurality of frame electrodes to isolate the electromagnetic resonator body from vibrations to the frame by allowing a rattle space between external surfaces of the electromagnetic resonator body and internal surfaces of the frame to approach but be greater than zero.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an atomic clock and methods of forming and/or using an atomic clock are disclosed. In one embodiment, an atomic clock includes: a light source configured to illuminate a resonance vapor cell; a narrowband optical filter disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and arranged such that light emitted from the light source passes through the narrowband optical filter and illuminates the resonance vapor cell. The resonance vapor cell is configured to emit a signal corresponding to a hyperfine transition frequency in response to illumination from the light source, and a filter cell is disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and configured to generate optical pumping. An optical detector is configured to detect the emitted signal corresponding to the hyperfine transition frequency.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, an atomic clock and methods of forming and/or using an atomic clock are disclosed. In one embodiment, an atomic clock includes: a light source configured to illuminate a resonance vapor cell; a narrowband optical filter disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and arranged such that light emitted from the light source passes through the narrowband optical filter and illuminates the resonance vapor cell. The resonance vapor cell is configured to emit a signal corresponding to a hyperfine transition frequency in response to illumination from the light source, and a filter cell is disposed between the light source and the resonance vapor cell and configured to generate optical pumping. An optical detector is configured to detect the emitted signal corresponding to the hyperfine transition frequency.

A vapor cell which can increase the S/N ratio of light as a signal and has high accuracy and a vapor cell manufacturing method are provided. The vapor cell includes: a reflection space (14) provided so as to be able to store a gas containing an alkali metal atom; and an incident light reflection surface, an in-plane reflection portion (17), and an emission light reflection surface provided inside the reflection space (14). The incident light reflection surface has an elevation angle of 45° from an optical path plane so that the incident light incident from a predetermined external direction is reflected in the optical path plane that is perpendicular to the incident light. The in-plane reflection portion (17) has a reflection surface that reflects the reflected light from the incident light reflection surface, the reflection surface being substantially perpendicular to the optical path plane so that the reflected light from the incident light reflection surface is reflected in the optical path plane once or multiple times. The emission light reflection surface has an elevation angle 45° from the optical path plane so that the reflected light from the in-plane reflection portion (17) is reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical path plane and an emission light is emitted to the outside.

In a described example, an apparatus includes: a package substrate having a device side surface and a board side surface opposite the device side surface; a physics cell mounted on the device side surface having a first end and a second end; a first opening extending through the package substrate and lined with a conductor, aligned with the first end; a second opening extending through the package substrate and lined with the conductor, aligned with the second end; a millimeter wave transmitter module on the board side, having a millimeter wave transfer structure including a transmission line coupled to an antenna aligned with the first opening; and a millimeter wave receiver module mounted on the board side surface of the package substrate and having a millimeter wave transfer structure including a transmission line coupled to an antenna for receiving millimeter wave signals, aligned with the second opening.