Microwave signal amplitude control method for an atomic clock and locking device for implementing the method

摘要

The response curve of the amplitude of the microwave signal is wide. The clock comprises an atomic resonator and a control device linked to a resonator which is ultra-stable based on the atomic resonance. This is tuned to produce the signal from which is derived the microwave signal. The amplitude of the microwave signal is transformed, before its application to the atomic jet resonator. The transformation is effected according to a law such that the shape of the atomic response curve as a function of the amplitude of the microwave signal over a wide range about the vertical position passing through the maximum of the response. The amplitude modulation of the microwave signal applied to the resonator is deep, the depth of modulation going up by several decibels from the median value.