METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SMALL ATOMIC CELLS AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME

摘要

The invention relates to methods for producing small atomic cells having pairs of atoms of alkali metals and to devices for manufacturing same, and can be used when manufacturing quantum magnetometers and small atomic clocks. The method of manufacturing atomic cells involves heating a window and end of a semi-finished cell, welding the window to one of the ends of the semi-finished cell and annealing same using СО2-laser radiation, thermally processing the semi-finished cell, evacuating same, and subsequently filling same with vapors of an alkali metal in a vacuum. Then, sprayed metal from the walls of the semi-finished cell is evaporated using the СО2-laser, and the cell is hermetically sealed by installing a transparent window on the second end of the semi-finished cell and welding same to said end by means of the laser. A device for filling the cells with an alkali metal includes a vacuum chamber, pumps, and a laser system. The vacuum chamber contains a carousel with slots, a semi-finished-cell heater, a cover installation mechanism, and a window which is transparent to laser radiation. The invention allows for producing miniature atomic cells having improved light transmittance and performance characteristics, and allows for reducing the consumption of alkali metal isotope.