Atomic clock

摘要

The method involves sending a linearly polarized laser beam (11) from a laser source e.g. laser diode (1) such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) diode, across a cell (3). A beat frequency obtained between the beam output by the source and transmitted through the cell and a beam induced by Raman Effect within atoms of the cell is detected. Optimal laser injection current is found in open-loop mode of the atomic clock. The clock is operated in a closed-loop mode by returning a microwave signal received as output of the cell to control the injection current for priming the clock. An independent claim is also included for an atomic clock.