Silicon-based atomic clocks

摘要

In one embodiment, a silicon-based atomic clock for use in an electronic device includes a single-isotope silicon crystal and energy level transitions within the silicon are used as a frequency resonance of the clock.

主权项

1. A silicon-based atomic clock for use in an electronic device, the atomic clock comprising:
a single-isotope silicon crystal doped with impurity atoms, wherein energy level transitions of the impurity atoms are used as a frequency resonance of the clock; a light adapted to excite the impurity atoms within the silicon crystal; and a device configured to detect the energy level transitions of the impurity atoms based at least in part on an electrical measurement of photoconductivity.