In some variations, a vapor-cell system comprises: a vapor-cell region configured to allow at least one vapor-cell optical path into a vapor phase within the vapor-cell region; a first electrode disposed in contact with the vapor-cell region; a second electrode that is electrically isolated from the first electrode; and a transparent ion-conducting layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the transparent ion-conducting layer is optically transparent over a selected optical band of electromagnetic wavelengths. Some embodiments provide a magneto-optical trap or atomic-cloud imaging apparatus, comprising: the disclosed vapor-cell system; a source of laser beams configured to provide three orthogonal vapor-cell optical paths through the vapor-cell gas phase, to trap or image a population of cold atoms; and a magnetic-field source configured to generate magnetic fields within the vapor-cell region. Methods of use are also disclosed herein.

A system for controlling drilling unit apparatus includes a plurality of drilling unit apparatus each operated by a corresponding controller. Any one or more of the controllers is in signal communication with either or both of (i) at least one sensor that generates a signal related to an operating condition of the drilling unit apparatus and (ii) at least one other of the controllers to accept as input therefrom a signal related to an operating state of the corresponding drilling unit apparatus. A plurality of time reference signal receivers is each in signal communication with a corresponding controller. An absolute time reference signal transmitter is in signal communication with each time reference signal receiver such that any one or more of the controllers operates its respective drilling apparatus in response to either or both of (i) the sensor signal and (ii) the signal from the at least one other controller.

A millimeter wave apparatus, with a substrate, a transceiver in a first fixed position relative to the substrate, and a gas cell in a second fixed position relative to the substrate. The clock apparatus also comprises at least four waveguides.

A millimeter wave apparatus, with a substrate, a transceiver in a first fixed position relative to the substrate, and a gas cell in a second fixed position relative to the substrate. The clock apparatus also comprises at least four waveguides.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to atomic beam collimators and, more particularly, to miniaturized coplanar atomic beam collimators. In some examples, an atomic beam collimator may comprise an atomic channel disposed in a substrate. Additional atomic channels may be provided coplanar with the first atomic channel in the substrate. Some examples include a series of cascaded atomic channels, each cascaded atomic channel separated by a gap. The gaps may reduce the off-flux atoms in the output of the atomic collimator. In some examples, a system may comprise an atomic collimator, an atom source, and/or a microelectromechanical system device. These component can be separate devices or can be incorporated into a common substrate.

A monolithic photonic resonator includes a bulk optic with first and second superpolished facets, and a high-reflectivity coating applied to each of the first and second superpolished facets. The superpolished facets form an optical resonator. The bulk optic is a single piece of an optical material that is solid, i.e., has no internal holes, gaps, or pockets. The bulk optic therefore serves as an intraresonator optical medium while still supporting a finesse of 10,000 or more. The superpolished facets may be counterfacing to form a Fabry-Perot cavity. Alternatively, the bulk optic may include forms one or more additional facets off of which light inside the bulk optic undergoes total internal reflection. The monolithic photonic resonator may be mounted in a support structure that minimizes the overall vibration sensitivity of the resonator's resonance frequency.

The present invention discloses a chip atomic clock microsystem based on a nano Y waveguide, including a magnetic shielding portion, an optical system and a physical system. The optical system and the physical system are arranged in a magnetic shielding layer. The unique nano Y waveguide and nano vertical coupling gratings used in the optical system greatly improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency and a space utilization rate, and reduce the size of the atomic clock. In addition, especially the two-layer magnetic shielding design is adopted, which effectively improves the shielding effect. The chip atomic clock microsystem based on a nano Y waveguide according to the present invention has the advantages of being easy to mount, stable in performance, compact in structure, small in size, low in power consumption, long in service life and high in precision.

The present invention discloses a chip atomic clock microsystem based on a nano Y waveguide, including a magnetic shielding portion, an optical system and a physical system. The optical system and the physical system are arranged in a magnetic shielding layer. The unique nano Y waveguide and nano vertical coupling gratings used in the optical system greatly improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency and a space utilization rate, and reduce the size of the atomic clock. In addition, especially the two-layer magnetic shielding design is adopted, which effectively improves the shielding effect. The chip atomic clock microsystem based on a nano Y waveguide according to the present invention has the advantages of being easy to mount, stable in performance, compact in structure, small in size, low in power consumption, long in service life and high in precision.

This atomic resonator for causing a resonance frequency by CPT resonance includes: a gas cell having alkali metal atoms enclosed; a photodetector configured to detect light having passed through the gas cell and convert the light to an electric signal; a high-frequency oscillator configured to receive the electric signal and output the signal after a frequency thereof is divided by two; and a laser light source configured to modulate and introduce, into the gas cell, light based on the signal output from the high-frequency oscillator. The high-frequency oscillator has an injection-locked frequency divider circuit including an acoustic resonator as an oscillation element.

Solid-state miniature atomic clock (SMAC) within the form factor of an integrated circuit chip (aka microchip) or flexible device. The present invention includes architectures and methods of manufacture of SMACs. SMACs may include one or more vias, with some or all of the vias containing or other material suitable for an antenna. In addition, the SMAC may include a heating device for temperature stabilization.