JP2019092042A - Atomic oscillator and frequency signal generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an atomic oscillator that can inhibit deformation of a support member.SOLUTION: An atomic oscillator comprises: a substrate; a light source that emits light; an atomic cell that stores alkali metal atoms and on which the light emitted from the light source is incident; a support member on which the light source and the atomic cell are arranged, and includes a portion fixed to the substrate and an end having a gap with the substrate; and a projection that is arranged closer to the end than the fixed portion of the support member and projects toward the substrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to an atomic oscillator and a frequency signal generation system.

  An atomic oscillator that oscillates based on energy transition of alkali metal atoms such as rubidium and cesium is known as an oscillator having oscillation characteristics with high accuracy in the long term.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a light source unit having a substrate, a gas cell unit having a gas cell in which metal atoms are enclosed, and a light source for emitting light including a resonant light pair for resonating with metal atoms; An atomic oscillator is described which comprises a support member connected on the side to the gas cell part and the light source part and on the other side to the substrate. In Patent Document 1, it is described that the support member may be disposed on the substrate in a cantilever manner.

JP, 2015-118962, A

  However, in the above-described atomic oscillator, for example, when external force is applied to the atomic oscillator during carrying, the support member may be bent and the positional relationship between the light source and the gas cell may be shifted.

  One of the objects in accordance with some aspects of the present invention is to provide an atomic oscillator that can suppress deformation of a support member. Another object of some aspects of the present invention is to provide a frequency signal generation system capable of suppressing deformation of a support member.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

Application Example 1
The atomic oscillator according to this application example includes a substrate, a light source for emitting light, an alkali metal atom contained therein, an atomic cell for receiving light emitted from the light source, the light source, and the atomic cell. A support member including a portion fixed to the substrate and an end portion having an air gap between the substrate and the support member disposed closer to the end portion than the fixed portion of the support member And a protrusion protruding to the side.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, since the projection disposed on the end side with respect to the fixed portion of the support member and including the protrusion projecting to the substrate side, external force is applied to the atomic oscillator to bend the support member. In the case, the protrusion contacts the substrate. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator according to this application example, the deformation of the support member can be suppressed as compared with the case where the protrusion is not disposed.

Application Example 2
In the atomic oscillator according to the application example, the protrusion may contact the substrate earlier than the support member when the support member is bent and an end approaches the substrate.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, when the support member bends and the end approaches the substrate, the protrusion contacts the substrate earlier than the support member, as compared with the case where the protrusion is not disposed. The deformation of the support member can be suppressed.

Application Example 3
In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, an air gap may be present between the protrusion and the substrate.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, since there is an air gap between the protrusion and the substrate, for example, the transfer of heat between the support member and the protrusion and the substrate can be suppressed. Therefore, the temperature of the atom cell or the light source tends to be stable as compared with the case where there is no air gap between the protrusion and the substrate.

Application Example 4
In the atomic oscillator according to the application example, a material of at least a portion of the protrusion facing the substrate may be a heat insulating material.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, since the material of at least the portion of the protrusion facing the substrate is a heat insulating material, even if the protrusion contacts the substrate, for example, the heat transfer between the protrusion and the substrate is suppressed. be able to.

Application Example 5
In the atomic oscillator according to the application example, a material of a portion facing at least the protrusion of the substrate may be a heat insulating material.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, since the material of at least the portion of the substrate facing the protrusion is a heat insulating material, even if the protrusion is in contact with the substrate, for example, heat transfer between the protrusion and the substrate is suppressed. be able to.

Application Example 6
In the atomic oscillator according to the application example, the light source is disposed on the fixed portion side among the fixed portion side and the end portion side of the support member, and the fixed portion side of the support member The atom cell may be disposed on the end side among the end sides.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, even if the support member is bent, the projections can suppress the displacement of the atomic cell with respect to the light source.

Application Example 7
In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, the light source, the atomic cell, and the support member may be accommodated, and the container including the substrate and a lid may be included, and the atomic cell and the lid may be connected.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, since the atomic cell and the lid are connected, for example, even if a force is applied to the lid and the supporting member in which the atomic cell is disposed is bent, the projection Can suppress the deformation of

Application Example 8
In the atomic oscillator according to the application example, the atomic cell is disposed on the fixed portion side among the fixed portion side and the end portion side of the support member, and the fixed portion of the support member The light source may be disposed on the end side among the side and the end side.

  In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, even if the support member is bent, the protrusions can suppress the light source from being displaced with respect to the atomic cell.

Application Example 9
The frequency signal generation system according to this application example is a frequency signal generation system including an atomic oscillator, wherein the atomic oscillator contains a substrate, a light source for emitting light, and an alkali metal atom, and is emitted from the light source A support member including an atom cell on which the incident light is incident, a portion where the light source and the atom cell are disposed, and a portion fixed to the substrate, and an end portion having an air gap between the substrate and the support And a projection that is disposed closer to the end than the fixed portion of the member and protrudes toward the substrate.

  In the frequency signal generation system according to this application example, since the protrusion disposed on the free end side of the support member and protruding toward the substrate is included, deformation of the support member can be suppressed compared to the case where no protrusion is disposed. it can.

Schematic which shows the atomic oscillator which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an atomic oscillator according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an atomic oscillator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an atomic cell unit of the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an atomic oscillator according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an atomic oscillator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a first positioning member of the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a first positioning member of the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an atomic oscillator according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an atomic oscillator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a support member of the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an atomic oscillator according to an embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the positioning of the atomic cell with respect to a board | substrate. Sectional drawing which shows typically the atomic oscillator which concerns on the 1st modification of embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows typically the atomic oscillator which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows typically the atomic oscillator which concerns on the 3rd modification of embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic block diagram which shows the frequency signal production | generation system which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Further, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

1. Atomic Oscillator 1.1. Overview First, an atomic oscillator according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an atomic oscillator 10 according to the present embodiment.

The atomic oscillator 10 has a quantum interference effect (CPT) in which when two resonance lights of a specific different wavelength are simultaneously irradiated to an alkali metal atom, a phenomenon that the two resonance lights are transmitted without being absorbed by the alkali metal atoms An atomic oscillator using Coherent Population Trapping. The phenomenon caused by this quantum interference effect is electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT: Electromagnetica)
lly Induced Transparency) phenomenon. In addition, the atomic oscillator according to the present invention may be an atomic oscillator utilizing double resonance phenomenon by light and microwave.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the atomic oscillator 10 includes a light source unit 100, an optical system unit 200, an atomic cell unit 300, and a control unit 500 that controls the light source unit 100 and the atomic cell unit 300. First, an outline of the atomic oscillator 10 will be described.

  The light source unit 100 includes a Peltier element 110, a light source 120, and a temperature sensor 130.

  The light source 120 emits linearly polarized light LL including two types of light of different frequencies. The light source 120 is a light emitting element such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The temperature sensor 130 detects the temperature of the light source 120. The Peltier element 110 is a first temperature control element that controls the temperature of the light source 120 to a first temperature. Specifically, the Peltier device 110 heats or cools the light source 120. The first temperature is, for example, 25 ° C. or more and 35 ° C. or less.

  The optical system unit 200 is disposed between the light source unit 100 and the atomic cell unit 300. The optical system unit 200 includes a neutral density filter 210, a lens 220, and a 1⁄4 wavelength plate 230.

  The neutral density filter 210 reduces the intensity of the light LL emitted from the light source 120. The lens 220 adjusts the radiation angle of the light LL. Specifically, the lens 220 collimates the light LL. The quarter-wave plate 230 converts two types of light of different frequencies contained in the light LL from linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light.

  The atomic cell unit 300 includes an atomic cell 310, a light receiving element 320, a heater unit 380, a temperature sensor 322, and a coil 324.

  The atom cell 310 transmits the light LL emitted from the light source 120. The atomic cell 310 contains an alkali metal atom. The alkali metal atom has an energy level of a three-level system composed of two ground levels and excitation levels different from each other. The light LL emitted from the light source 120 enters the atom cell 310 via the neutral density filter 210, the lens 220, and the 1⁄4 wavelength plate 230.

  The light receiving element 320 receives and detects the light LL that has passed through the atom cell 310. The light receiving element 320 is, for example, a photodiode.

  The heater unit 380 is a second temperature control element that controls the atomic cell 310 to a second temperature different from the first temperature. The heater unit 380 heats the alkali metal atoms contained in the atom cell 310 to bring at least a part of the alkali metal atoms into a gas state. The second temperature is, for example, 60 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less.

  The temperature sensor 322 detects the temperature of the atomic cell 310. The coil 324 applies a magnetic field in a predetermined direction to the alkali metal atoms accommodated in the atom cell 310 to cause Zeeman splitting of the energy levels of the alkali metal atoms.

In a state in which an alkali metal atom is Zeeman-split, when a circularly polarized resonant light pair is irradiated to the alkali metal atom, the alkali metal atom is at a desired energy level among a plurality of levels in which the alkali metal atom is Zeeman-split. The number increases relatively to the number of alkali metal atoms at other energy levels. Therefore, the number of atoms that express the desired EIT phenomenon increases, and the desired EIT signal becomes large. As a result, the oscillation characteristics of the atomic oscillator 10 can be improved.

  The control unit 500 includes a temperature control unit 510, a light source control unit 520, a magnetic field control unit 530, and a temperature control unit 540.

  The temperature control unit 510 controls energization of the heater unit 380 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 322 so that the inside of the atomic cell 310 has a desired temperature. The magnetic field control unit 530 controls the energization of the coil 324 so that the magnetic field generated by the coil 324 becomes constant. The temperature control unit 540 controls energization of the Peltier element 110 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 130 such that the temperature of the light source 120 becomes a desired temperature.

  The light source control unit 520 controls the frequencies of two types of light included in the light LL emitted from the light source 120 so that the EIT phenomenon occurs based on the detection result of the light receiving element 320. Here, when these two types of light become resonance light pairs of a frequency difference corresponding to the energy difference between the two ground levels of alkali metal atoms accommodated in the atomic cell 310, an EIT phenomenon occurs. The light source control unit 520 includes a voltage controlled oscillator (not shown) whose oscillation frequency is controlled to be stabilized in synchronization with the control of the frequencies of the two types of light. : Output the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator as the output signal (clock signal) of the atomic oscillator 10.

1.2. Specific Configuration Next, a specific configuration of the atomic oscillator 10 will be described. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views schematically showing the atomic oscillator 10. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. Further, in FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIGS. 4 to 13 described later, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are illustrated as three axes orthogonal to each other.

  The atomic oscillator 10 includes a light source unit 100, an optical system unit 200, an atomic cell unit 300, a support member 400, a control unit 500, and an outer container 600, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

  Here, the Z-axis is an axis along the perpendicular line P of the first outer container surface 612 of the outer base 610, and the + Z-axis direction is from the first outer container surface 612 of the outer base 610 onto the first outer container surface 612. It is the direction to the part being arranged. The X axis is an axis along the light LL emitted from the light source unit 100, and the + X axis direction is the traveling direction of the light LL. The Y-axis is an axis perpendicular to the X-axis and the Z-axis, and the + Y-axis direction is a direction from the near side to the back when the + Z-axis direction is upward and the + X-axis direction is right.

  The light source unit 100 is disposed on the support member 400. The light source unit 100 has a Peltier element 110, a light source 120, a temperature sensor 130, a light source container 140 accommodating these, and a light source substrate 150 on which the light source container 140 is disposed. The light source substrate 150 is fixed to the support member 400 by, for example, a screw (not shown). The Peltier device 110, the light source 120, and the temperature sensor 130 are electrically connected to the control unit 500.

The optical system unit 200 is disposed on the support member 400. The optical system unit 200 includes a neutral density filter 210, a lens 220, a quarter wavelength plate 230, and a holder 240 for holding these. The holder 240 is fixed to the support member 400 by, for example, a screw (not shown).

  The holder 240 is provided with a through hole 250. The through hole 250 is a passage area of the light LL. In the through hole 250, the light attenuating filter 210, the lens 220, and the quarter wavelength plate 230 are disposed in this order from the light source unit 100 side.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the atomic cell unit 300. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the atomic cell unit 300 includes the atomic cell 310, the light receiving element 320, the first holding member 330, the screw 331, the second holding member 332, and the first atomic cell container 340. , A first positioning member 350, a second positioning member 360, a spacer 369, a second atomic cell container 370, a heater unit 380, and a Peltier element 390.

  The atomic cell 310 accommodates gaseous alkali metals such as rubidium, cesium, and sodium. In the atom cell 310, if necessary, a rare gas such as argon or neon, or an inert gas such as nitrogen may be accommodated together with an alkali metal atom as a buffer gas.

  The light LL emitted from the light source 120 is incident on the atom cell 310. The material of the wall portion of the atom cell 310 is, for example, glass. The walls of the atomic cell 310 define the interior space of the atomic cell 310. The internal space of the atom cell 310 includes a first space 312, a second space 314, and a communication hole 316, as shown in FIG.

  The first space 312 is, for example, a saturated vapor pressure of an alkali metal atom. The light LL emitted from the light source 120 passes through the first space 312. The second space 314 is in communication with the first space 312 via the communication hole 316. The volume of the second space 314 is smaller than, for example, the volume of the first space 312. The temperature of the second space 314 is adjusted to be lower than that of the first space 312. Therefore, in the second space 314, for example, a liquid alkali metal atom is present. Thus, when the alkali metal atoms of the gas in the first space 312 decrease due to a reaction with the wall of the atomic cell 310 or the like, the alkali metal atoms of the liquid are vaporized and the alkali metal atoms of the gas in the first space 312 The concentration can be kept constant.

  The light receiving element 320 is disposed on the side opposite to the light source 120 side of the atom cell 310. In the illustrated example, the light receiving element 320 is disposed in the first atom cell container 340. The light receiving element 320 is electrically connected to the control unit 500.

  The first holding member 330 holds the atom cell 310 in the first atom cell container 340. The first holding member 330 is, for example, in contact with the wall of the atomic cell 310 that defines the first space 312. In the illustrated example, the first holding member 330 is fixed to the wall 345 of the first atomic cell container 340 by a screw 331. The wall 345 is a wall on the −Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The first holding member 330 transfers the heat of the heater unit 380 to the alkali metal atoms in the first space 312. The material of the first holding member 330 is, for example, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass or the like.

  The first holding member 330 is provided with through holes 330 a and 330 b. The light LL emitted from the light source 120 enters the atomic cell 310 through the through holes 330 a. The light LL transmitted through the atom cell 310 enters the light receiving element 320 through the through hole 330 b. A member that transmits the light LL may be disposed in the through holes 330a and 330b.

The second holding member 332 holds the atom cell 310 in the first atom cell container 340. The second holding member 332 is, for example, in contact with the wall of the atomic cell 310 that defines the second space 314. In the illustrated example, the second holding member 332 is fixed to the first atom cell container 340 by a screw 333. The second holding member 332 transfers the heat of the second space 314 to the Peltier element 390, for example. The second holding member 332 is provided separately from the first holding member 330. Thus, the second space 314 can be adjusted to a temperature lower than that of the first space 312. The material of the second holding member 332 is, for example, the same as that of the first holding member 330.

  The first atom cell container 340 accommodates the atom cell 310, the light receiving element 320, and the holding members 330 and 332. The first atom cell container 340 is disposed on the support member 400 via the positioning members 350 and 360. The first atom cell container 340 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The material of the first atom cell container 340 is, for example, iron, silicon iron, permalloy, supermalloy, sendust, copper or the like. By using such a material, the first atom cell container 340 can shield the magnetism from the outside. Thereby, the influence of the alkali metal atoms in the atom cell 310 by the magnetism from the outside can be suppressed, and the oscillation characteristics of the atomic oscillator 10 can be stabilized. Here, "to suppress" includes the case of completely stopping the occurrence of the event and the case of reducing the degree of the event even if the event occurs so that the event does not occur.

  The first atom cell container 340 is provided with a through hole 340 a. The light LL emitted from the light source 120 enters the atomic cell 310 through the through holes 340 a. The through hole 340a may be provided with a member that transmits the light LL.

  A heat transfer member 346 is disposed on the outer surface 34 f of the first atom cell container 340. In the illustrated example, the heat transfer member 346 is plate-like, and is fixed to the wall 345 of the first atomic cell container 340 by a screw 331. The heat transfer member 346 is disposed between the first atom cell container 340 and the heater unit 380. The thermal conductivity of the heat transfer member 346 is higher than, for example, the thermal conductivity of the first atomic cell container 340 and the thermal conductivity of the heater cover 383 of the heater unit 380. The heat transfer member 346 transfers the heat of the heater unit 380 to the alkali metal atoms in the first space 312. The material of the heat transfer member 346 is, for example, aluminum, copper or the like.

  Here, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are perspective views schematically showing the atomic oscillator 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing the first positioning member 350. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically showing the first positioning member 350. As shown in FIG. For convenience, in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the members of the atomic oscillator 10 are partially illustrated.

  The first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360 are disposed on the support member 400 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360 are fixed to the support member 400. The support member 400 and the first positioning member 350 are separate bodies. That is, the support member 400 and the first positioning member 350 are not integrally formed, but are separate members. Similarly, the support member 400 and the second positioning member 360 are separate bodies. The material of the support member 400 and the material of the positioning members 350 and 360 are different. Although not shown, the support member 400, the first positioning member 350, and the second positioning member 360 may be integrally formed. That is, a structure having the same shape as the positioning members 350 and 360 may be formed on the support member 400. In addition, if there is at least the first positioning member 350, the atom cell 310 can be disposed on the support member 400 with high positional accuracy. That is, the second positioning member 360 may be omitted. With the second positioning member 360, the two positioning members of the first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360 can determine the position of the atomic cell 310.

The first positioning member 350 is disposed on the + Y axial direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The second positioning member 360 is disposed on the −Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The first atom cell container 340 is disposed between the first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360 as viewed in the Z-axis direction (the direction of the perpendicular P).

  The first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360 are members for positioning the first atomic cell container 340 with respect to the support member 400. As a method of arranging the first atom cell container 340 on the support member 400, first, the positioning members 350 and 360 are fixed to the support member 400 as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the first atom cell container 340 is disposed on the support member 400 using the positioning members 350 and 360, and the position of the first atom cell container 340 with respect to the support member 400 is determined.

  The first atom cell container 340 has a first corner 341 and a second corner 342. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first corner 341 is a corner on the −X axis direction side and the + Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The outer surface 34 a, the outer surface 34 b, and the outer surface 34 c intersect each other, and the portion where these three surfaces intersect is the first corner portion 341. The second corner 342 is a corner on the + X axis direction side and the −Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The outer surface 34 a, the outer surface 34 c, and the outer surface 34 d intersect each other, and the portion where these three surfaces intersect is the second corner 342. The first positioning member 350 includes a first block 352 in contact with the first corner 341, a second block 354 in contact with the second corner 342, and a connection portion 356 connecting the first block 352 and the second block 354. ,have.

  The “corner of the first atom cell container 340” includes an apex formed by the three outer surfaces of the first atom cell container 340 and a portion near the apex. The “portion near the vertex” is, for example, a portion within one-quarter of the length of each side of the outer surface from the vertex formed by the three outer surfaces.

  The first block 352 has a block base 352 a and block wall portions 352 b and 352 c extending in the + Z-axis direction from the block base 352 a. The block base 352 a is in contact with the outer surface 34 a on the −Z axial direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The block wall portion 352 b is in contact with the outer surface 34 b on the −X axial direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The block wall portion 352 c is in contact with the outer surface 34 c on the + Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The outer surface 34 a, the outer surface 34 b, and the outer surface 34 c intersect each other, and the portion where these three surfaces intersect is the first corner portion 341. Thus, the first block 352 is in contact with the three outer surfaces 34a, 34b, 34c of the first atomic cell container 340. Therefore, the first positioning member 350 can position the first atomic cell container 340 in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction.

  The second block 354 includes a block base 354a and block wall portions 354b and 354c extending from the block base 354a in the + Z-axis direction. The block base 354 a is in contact with the outer surface 34 a on the −Z axial direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The block wall portion 354 c is in contact with the outer surface 34 c on the + Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The block wall portion 354 b faces the outer surface 34 d on the + X axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The block wall 354b may be in contact with the outer surface 34d or may be separated from the outer surface 34d.

  The first block 352 is fixed to the support member 400 by the first fixing structure 357. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first fixing structure portion 357 is configured of a screw hole 357a provided in the first block 352 and a screw 357b inserted in the screw hole 357a. In the illustrated example, two first fixing structures 357 are provided.

The second block 354 is fixed to the support member 400 by a second fixing structure 358. The second fixing structure 358 is constituted by, for example, a screw hole 358a provided in the second block 354 and a screw 358b inserted in the screw hole 358a. In the illustrated example, two second fixing structures 358 are provided.

  The distance L1 between the first fixed structure 357 and the second fixed structure 358 is larger than the distance L2 between the first corner 341 and the second corner 342. Thereby, even if the position of the second fixed structure portion 358 is deviated from the desired position with respect to the first fixed structure portion 357, compared with the case where the distance L1 is equal to or less than the distance L2, The angular deviation can be reduced. For example, even if the position of the second fixed structure portion 358 is shifted in the Y-axis direction, the rotation angle with the axis parallel to the Z-axis of the first positioning member 350 as the rotation axis can be reduced. The distance L1 is the shortest distance between the first fixed structure 357 and the second fixed structure 358. The distance L2 is a distance between the vertex of the first corner 341 and the vertex of the second corner 342.

  The connection portion 356 is, for example, a beam-like member that connects the block base 352 a and the block base 354 a. In the illustrated example, the connection portion 356 extends in the X-axis direction. The connection portion 356 may be in contact with the first atom cell container 340 or may be separated from the first atom cell container 340.

  The second positioning member 360, for example, has the same shape as the first positioning member 350, as shown in FIGS. The first atom cell container 340 has a third corner 343 and a fourth corner 344. In the illustrated example, the third corner 343 is a corner on the −X axis direction side and the −Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The fourth corner 344 is a corner on the + X axis direction side and the −Y axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The second positioning member 360 includes a third block 362 in contact with the third corner 343, a fourth block 364 in contact with the fourth corner 344, and a connecting portion 366 connecting the third block 362 and the fourth block 364. ,have.

  The third block 362 includes a block base 362 a and block wall portions 362 b and 362 c. The fourth block 364 has a block base 364a and block wall portions 364b and 364c. The block wall 362 b is in contact with the outer surface 34 b on the −X axis direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The block wall portions 362 c, 364 b and 364 c may be in contact with the first atom cell container 340 or may be separated from the first atom cell container 340.

  Similar to the first block 352, the third block 362 is fixed to the support member 400 by the third fixing structure 367. Similar to the second block 354, the fourth block 364 is fixed to the support member 400 by the fourth fixing structure 368.

  The first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360 are heat insulating members. The material of the positioning members 350 and 360 is, for example, a resin such as an engineering plastic, a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) resin, a polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or the like. Since the positioning members 350 and 360 are heat insulating members, for example, the heat of the heater unit 380 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the light source 120 via the support member 400. When the heat of the heater unit 380 is transferred to the light source 120 through the support member 400, the light source 120 may not be able to reach a desired temperature. In addition, a "heat insulation member" is a member whose thermal conductivity is 1 W / mK or less.

The spacer 369 is disposed between the outer surface 34 e on the + Z axial direction side of the first atom cell container 340 and the second atom cell container 370. For example, four spacers 369 are disposed as shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the spacer 369 is disposed at the corner on the + Z axial direction side of the first atom cell container 340. The material of the spacer 369 is, for example, the same as the positioning members 350 and 360.

  Here, FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing an atomic oscillator 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the region α shown in FIG. For the sake of convenience, in FIG. 9, the members of the atomic oscillator 10 are partially omitted.

  The second atomic cell container 370 contains the first atomic cell container 340. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the second atom cell container 370 has a plate-like fixing portion 372 provided with a through hole, and the fixing portion 372 is fixed to the support member 400 by a screw 374. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the second atom cell container 370 has three fixing portions 372 and is fixed to the support member 400 at three points.

  The material of the second atom cell container 370 is, for example, the same as that of the first atom cell container 340. The second atom cell container 370 can shield the magnetism from the outside. Since the spacer 369 is disposed between the first atom cell container 340 and the second atom cell container 370, the first atom cell container 340 and the second atom cell container 370 are separated from each other. Therefore, compared with, for example, the case where the first atom cell container 340 and the second atom cell container 370 are in contact with each other, the function of shielding the magnetism from the outside can be enhanced. The atomic cell containers 340 and 370 may be formed by cutting.

  The second atomic cell container 370 is provided with a through hole 370 a. The light LL emitted from the light source 120 enters the atomic cell 310 through the through hole 370a. The through hole 370a may be provided with a member that transmits the light LL.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a heat insulating member 376 is disposed between the fixed portion 372 of the second atomic cell container 370 and the support member 400. Thereby, the heat of the heater unit 380 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the light source 120 via the second atom cell container 370 and the support member 400. The heat insulating member 376 may be a washer. The material of the heat insulating member 376 is, for example, the same as the positioning members 350 and 360.

  The heater unit 380 is in contact with the heat transfer member 346 as shown in FIG. The heater unit 380 includes a heating element 381, a heater container 382, heat insulating members 386 and 387, a heat insulating member 385, and a screw 389.

  The heating element 381 is disposed on the outer surface 34 f of the first atom cell container 340. In the illustrated example, the heating element 381 is disposed on the outer surface 34 f of the first atomic cell container 340 while being accommodated in the heater container 382. The heating element 381 is an element that heats the atom cell 310. Specifically, the heating element 381 is an element for heating the alkali metal atom of the first space 312. The heating element 381 is, for example, a heating resistor. As the heating element 381, a Peltier element may be used instead of the heating resistor or in combination with the heating resistor.

  The heater container 382 contains a heating element 381. The heater container 382 has a heater cover 383 and a heater base 384.

The heater cover 383 is disposed between the heating element 381 and the atom cell 310. In the illustrated example, the heater cover 383 has a shape having a recess in which the heating element 381 is disposed. The heater cover 383 is in contact with the heat transfer member 346. The heater cover 383 has a through hole 383 a through which a screw 389 passes. The heater base 384 is disposed on the opposite side of the heating element 381 to the atomic cell 310 side. In the illustrated example, the heater base 384 is plate-shaped. The heater base 384 has a through hole 384 a through which a screw 389 passes.

  The heater cover 383 and the heater base 384 are fixed to each other by a screw 389. Further, the heater container 382 is fixed to the second atomic cell container 370 by a screw 389. In the illustrated example, two screws 389 are disposed, and the heating element 381 is disposed between the two screws 389. The material of the screw 389 is, for example, metal.

  The material of the heater cover 383 and the heater base 384 is, for example, the same as that of the first atom cell container 340. Therefore, the heater cover 383 and the heater base 384 shield the magnetism. Thus, the heater container 382 can shield the magnetism generated from the heating element 381. Thereby, the influence of the alkali metal atoms in the atom cell 310 due to the magnetism from the heating element 381 can be suppressed, and the oscillation characteristic of the atomic oscillator 10 can be stabilized. The heater container 382 may be composed of any number of members as long as it can shield the magnetism generated from the heating element 381, and the shape is also arbitrary.

  The heat insulating members 385, 386 and 387 are disposed between the heater cover 383 and the heater base 384 and closer to the heater base 384 than the heating element 381. Thus, in the atomic oscillator 10, a plurality of heat insulating members 385, 386, 387 are disposed between the heater cover 383 and the heater base 384 and closer to the heater base 384 than the heating element 381. ing. At least a portion of the heat insulating members 385, 386, 387 may be positioned closer to the heater base 384 than the heating element 381. The material of the heat insulating members 385, 386, 387 is, for example, the same as that of the positioning members 350, 360.

  The heat insulating member 385 is accommodated in the heater container 382. The heat insulating member 385 is disposed on the opposite side of the heating element 381 to the atomic cell 310 side. That is, the heat insulating member 385 is disposed between the heating element 381 and the heater base 384. Thus, the heat of the heating element 381 can be prevented from being transferred to the side opposite to the atom cell 310 side, and the heat of the heating element 381 can be efficiently transferred to the atom cell 310. The heat insulating member 385 may be a film formed by forming a film of a heat insulating material on the heater base 384.

  The heat insulating members 386 and 387 are disposed in the through holes 383 a of the heater cover 383. The heat insulating members 386 and 387 have, for example, a first portion 388a disposed between the heater cover 383 and the heater base 384, and a second portion 388b disposed in the through hole 383a of the heater cover 383; Is a washer that has The heat insulating members 386 and 387 according to the present embodiment have a structure in which the first portion 388a and the second portion 388b are integrated, but the first portion 388a and the second portion 388b are separate. It is also good. That is, a member corresponding to the first portion 388a and a member corresponding to the second portion 388b may be combined. Alternatively, only a member corresponding to one of the first portion 388a and the second portion 388b may be used.

  The diameter of the first portion 388 a is larger than the diameter of the through hole 383 a of the heater cover 383, and the diameter of the second portion 388 b is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 383 a of the heater cover 383. That is, the diameter of the first portion 388a is larger than that of the second portion 388b. Also, the diameter of the first portion 388 a is larger than the through hole 384 a of the heater base 384. The heat insulating members 386 and 387 are provided with through holes through which the screws 389 pass. The length of the second portion 388 b is larger than the thickness of the heater cover 383, in other words, the length of the through hole 383 a of the heater cover 383. Further, the diameter of the screw hole of the second atomic cell container 370 through the screw 389 is smaller than the diameter of the second portion 388 b of the heat insulating member 386, 387.

The heat insulation members 386 and 387 can reduce the possibility of the heater cover 383 and the heater base 384 coming into contact with each other by the first portion 388a, so the heat of the heating element 381 transmitted to the heater cover 383 is transmitted to the heater base 384. You can suppress that. In addition, the heat of the heating element 381 transferred to the heater cover 383 can be suppressed by the second portion 388 b from being transferred to the heater base 384 via the screw 389. Thereby, the heat of the heating element 381 can be efficiently transmitted to the atom cell 310. Furthermore, since the length of the second portion 388 b is larger than the thickness of the heater cover 383, the contact between the heater cover 383 and the second atomic cell container 370 can be prevented. Further, the diameter of the screw hole of the second atomic cell container 370 through the screw 389 is smaller than the diameter of the second portion 388 b of the heat insulating member 386, 387. Contact with the container 370 can be prevented. Therefore, the heat of the heating element 381 transmitted to the heater cover 383 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the second atom cell container 370. In the illustrated example, the heat insulating member 386 is disposed on the + X axial direction side of the heat insulating member 385, and the heat insulating member 387 is disposed on the −X axial direction side of the heat insulating member 385.

  Although the temperature sensor 322 is not illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, it is disposed in the vicinity of the atom cell 310. The temperature sensor 322 is, for example, various temperature sensors such as a thermistor and a thermocouple.

  Also, although not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the coil 324 faces, for example, a solenoidal coil wound around the outer periphery of the atom cell 310 or the atom cell 310. It is a Helmholtz-type pair of coils. The coil 324 generates a magnetic field in the direction along the optical axis A of the light LL inside the atomic cell 310. As a result, the gap between the degenerate different energy levels of the alkali metal atoms accommodated in the atomic cell 310 can be expanded by Zeeman splitting, the resolution can be improved, and the line width of the EIT signal can be reduced.

  Further, although not shown, a flexible substrate provided with a wire for supplying power to the heating element 381 from the outside may be disposed on the side of the heat insulating member 385 opposite to the heating element 381 side. Thus, the heat of the heating element 381 can be suppressed from being transmitted to the flexible substrate, and the heat of the heating element 381 can be efficiently transmitted to the atom cell 310.

  The Peltier device 390 is disposed in the second atomic cell container 370, as shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the Peltier element 390 is disposed on the outer surface of the second atom cell container 370 in the + Z axial direction. The Peltier element 390 is controlled by, for example, the temperature control unit 510 so as to transfer heat from the second atomic cell container 370 to the outer lid 620 of the outer container 600. The temperature control unit 510 may control the Peltier device 390 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor (not shown).

  A heat transfer member 392 is disposed between the Peltier element 390 and the outer cover 620 of the outer container 600. The thermal conductivity of the heat transfer member 392 is higher than, for example, the thermal conductivity of the outer cover 620. The heat transfer member 392 is, for example, plate-like or sheet-like. The material of the heat transfer member 392 is, for example, aluminum, titanium, copper, or silicone having high heat dissipation. Heat transfer member 392 transfers the heat released from the heat dissipation surface of Peltier element 390 to outer cover 620.

The support member 400 is fixed to the outer base portion 610 of the outer container 600 in a cantilever manner, as shown in FIG. The support member 400 is fixed to, for example, the pedestal portion 611 of the outer base 610 by two screws 602 as shown in FIG. The support member 400 includes a fixed end 402 and a free end 404. In the example shown in FIG. 2, in the support member 400, the −X axis direction side is the fixed end 402 side, and the + X axis direction side is the free end 404 side. There is an air gap 6 between the portion other than the fixed portion of the support member 400, that is, the portion other than the fixed end 402 in the present embodiment, and the outer base 610. That is, there is an air gap 6 between the free end (end) 404 and the outer base 610. The material of the support member 400 may be, for example, aluminum or copper, and the support member 400 may be, for example, a carbon sheet using carbon fiber. The support member 400 may be fixed to the outer base 610 by an adhesive.

  Here, FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing the support member 400. As shown in FIG. The support member 400 includes an atom cell support 410 facing the outer base 610 and a light source support 420 positioned in the + Z axis direction with respect to the atom cell support 410. The atom cell support portion 410 is provided with a through hole 412 penetrating in the Z axis direction, and the atom cell support portion 410 has a frame shape as viewed from the Z axis direction. The light source support 420 is provided with a through hole 422 penetrating in the X-axis direction. The light source support 420 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the support member 400.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light source unit 100, the optical system unit 200, and the atomic cell unit 300 are disposed in the support member 400.

  The light source unit 100 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400. The light source unit 100 is fixed to the surface of the light source support 420 on the −X-axis direction side, for example, by a screw (not shown) so that the light source container 140 is located in the through hole 422. In the illustrated example, the light source 120 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the support member 400 via the light source container 140 and the light source substrate 150. The optical system unit 200 is fixed to the surface on the + X axis direction side of the light source support 420 by, for example, a screw (not shown).

  The atomic cell unit 300 is disposed on the free end 404 side of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400. The atomic cell unit 300 is disposed on the free end 404 side so as to overlap with the through hole 412 as viewed in the Z-axis direction. In the illustrated example, the atomic cell unit 300 is fixed to the atomic cell support 410 by a screw 374. In the illustrated example, the atom cell 310 is disposed on the free end 404 side of the support member 400 via the first holding member 330, the first atom cell container 340, the positioning members 350 and 360, and the second atom cell container 370. It is done.

  As described above, since the support member 400 is fixed to the outer base 610 in a cantilever manner, for example, the stress due to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficient of the support member 400 and the thermal expansion coefficient of the outer base 610 causes the support member 400 to It is possible to suppress deformation. If the support member 400 is fixed to the outer base 610 at both ends, the support member 400 may be deformed due to the stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the two.

  Atomic oscillator 10 includes a protrusion 440 disposed on support member 400. Here, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the support member 400, the protrusion 440, the screw 442, and the outer base 610, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the XII-XII line of FIG.

  The protrusion 440 is disposed on the free end 404 side of the support member 400 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12. The protrusion 440 is disposed on the surface of the support member 400 facing the outer base 610 and protrudes from the surface toward the outer base 610. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 440 is fixed to the support member 400 by a screw 442. The protrusion 440 may be a washer.

The protrusion 440 contacts the outer base 610 before the support member 400 when the support member 400 bends toward the outer base 610 and the free end 404 approaches the outer base 610. Thereby, for example, even if a force in the Z-axis direction is applied from the outside, the deformation of the support member 400 can be suppressed by the protrusions 440. Therefore, if the position of the protrusion 440 is closer to the free end 404 than the fixed end 402, the deformation of the support member 400 can be suppressed by appropriately designing the height of the protrusion 440. The shape of the protrusion 440 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a rod shape.

  In the illustrated example, the light source unit 100 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the fixed end 402 side and the free end 404 side of the support member 400, and of the fixed end 402 side and the free end 404 side of the support member 400, An atomic cell unit 300 is disposed on the free end 404 side. Therefore, the protrusion 440 can suppress the displacement of the atom cell 310 with respect to the light source 120.

  There is an air gap 2 between the protrusion 440 and the outer base 610. The material of the facing portion 444 facing at least the outer base portion 610 of the protrusion 440 is a heat insulating material. Specifically, the protrusion 440 is a heat insulating member, and the material of the protrusion 440 is the same as, for example, the positioning members 350 and 360. Because the material of the facing portion 444 of the protrusion 440 is a heat insulating material, even if the protrusion 440 contacts the outer base portion 610, the heat of the heater unit 380 causes the second atomic cell container 370, the support member 400, and the protrusion 440 to Transmission to the outer base portion 610 can be suppressed. When the heat of the heater unit 380 is transferred to the outer base 610 via the protrusion 440, the heat of the heater unit 380 may be transferred to the light source 120, and the light source 120 can not be brought to a desired temperature. Although not shown, the material of the facing portion 444 is a heat insulating material, and the material of the portion other than the facing portion 444 of the protrusion 440 may be a material having a high thermal conductivity. Moreover, the material of the protrusion 440 may not be a heat insulating material.

  The control unit 500 has a circuit board 502, as shown in FIG. The circuit board 502 is fixed to the outer base 610 via a plurality of lead pins 504. An IC (Integrated Circuit) chip (not shown) is disposed in the circuit board 502, and the IC chip functions as a temperature control unit 510, a light source control unit 520, a magnetic field control unit 530, and a temperature control unit 540. The IC chip is electrically connected to the light source unit 100 and the atom cell unit 300. The circuit board 502 is provided with a through hole 503 through which the support member 400 is inserted.

  The outer container 600 accommodates the light source unit 100, the optical system unit 200, the atomic cell unit 300, the support member 400, the protrusion 440, and the control unit 500. The outer container 600 has an outer base (substrate) 610 and an outer lid (lid) 620 which is separate from the outer base 610. The material of the outer container 600 is, for example, the same as that of the first atom cell container 340. Therefore, the outer container 600 can shield the magnetism from the outside, and can suppress the influence of the alkali metal atoms in the atom cell 310 by the magnetism from the outside.

  The outer container 600 has a first outer container surface 612 and a second outer container surface 622 different from the first outer container surface 612. Specifically, the outer base portion 610 has a first outer container surface 612, and the outer cover 620 has a second outer container surface 622.

  In the illustrated example, the first outer container surface 612 is a surface facing the + Z-axis direction of the outer base 610, and the perpendicular P direction of the first outer container surface 612 is the Z-axis direction. The first outer container surface 612 includes a first area 612a which is an upper surface of the pedestal 611, and a second area 612b and a third area 612c which are arranged to sandwich the first area 612a when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Have. The support member 400 is disposed on the first outer container surface 612. The second outer container surface 622 is a surface facing the first outer container surface 612. In the illustrated example, the second outer container surface 622 is a surface facing the −Z-axis direction of the outer lid 620.

  The light source unit 100 and the first outer container surface 612 are connected. In the illustrated example, the light source unit 100 and the first outer container surface 612 are connected via the support member 400 and the heat transfer member 614. Thus, “connection” refers to the case where the A member and the B member (or the B surface) are directly connected, and the A member and the B member are indirectly connected via the C member. Including cases. The heat transfer member 614 is provided between the support member 400 and the first outer container surface 612. The heat transfer member 614 is, for example, plate-like or sheet-like. The thermal conductivity of the heat transfer member 614 is higher than the thermal conductivity of the support member 400 and the thermal conductivity of the outer base 610. The material of the heat transfer member 614 is, for example, aluminum, titanium, copper, or silicone having high heat dissipation.

  There is an air gap 4 between the light source unit 100 and the second outer container surface 622. That is, the light source unit 100 is disposed apart from the second outer container surface 622. In other words, the light source unit 100 and the second outer container surface 622 are not connected.

  The atomic cell unit 300 and the second outer container surface 622 are connected. In the illustrated example, the atomic cell unit 300 and the second outer container surface 622 are connected via the heat transfer member 392. The atom cell 310 and the outer cover 620 are connected. In the illustrated example, the atom cell 310 and the outer lid 620 are connected via the holding members 330 and 332, the first atom cell container 340, the spacer 369, the Peltier element 390, and the heat transfer member 392.

  There is an air gap 6 between the atomic cell unit 300 and the first outer container surface 612. That is, the atomic cell unit 300 is disposed apart from the first outer container surface 612.

  In the illustrated example, the light source unit 100 and the outer container 600 are connected only by the first outer container surface 612, and the atomic cell unit 300 and the outer container 600 are connected only by the second outer container surface 622. If the light source unit 100 and the atomic cell unit 300 are not connected to the same surface, the light source unit 100 and the outer container 600 may not be connected by only the first outer container surface 612, and the atomic cell The unit 300 and the outer container 600 may not be connected only by the second outer container surface 622. For example, the light source unit 100 and the outer container 600 may be further connected on a surface different from the first outer container surface 612 and the second outer container surface 622 in addition to the first outer container surface 612. In addition to the second outer container surface 622, the atomic cell unit 300 and the outer container 600 may be further connected on a surface different from the first outer container surface 612 and the second outer container surface 622.

  As described above, the light source unit 100 is separated from the second outer container surface 622 and connected to the first outer container surface 612, and the atomic cell unit 300 is separated from the first outer container surface 612 and the second outer container surface By being connected to 622, the heat of the light source unit 100 (specifically, the heat of the Peltier element 110) is emitted from the outer base 610 having the first outer container surface 612 to the outside, and Heat (specifically, the heat of the heater unit 380) can be dissipated from the outer lid 620 having the second outer container surface 622 to the outside. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress the heat of the light source unit 100 from being transferred to the atom cell 310 and the heat of the atom cell unit 300 from being transferred to the light source 120 via the outer base portion 610.

  The first thermal resistance of the path between the light source unit 100 and the atomic cell unit 300 via the support member 400 is the second thermal resistance between the light source unit 100 and the first outer container surface 612, and the atomic cell unit 300. And the second outer container surface 622 are higher than the third thermal resistance. The second thermal resistance is, for example, a thermal resistance of a path between the light source unit 100 and the first outer container surface 612 via the support member 400. The third thermal resistance is, for example, a thermal resistance of a path between the atomic cell unit 300 and the second outer container surface 622 via the heat transfer member 392.

Thermal resistance represents the difficulty of temperature transmission. The thermal resistance R [K / W] of a member generally means that the thermal conductivity of the member is λ [W / m · K], the sectional area of the member is S [m ² ], and the length of the member is L [m] It is calculated as R [K / W] = L / (λ · S), where the temperature difference ΔT occurs in the longitudinal direction of the member. In addition, when the shape is complicated or when the number of parts is large, a complex thermal resistance can be roughly calculated by thermal simulation. For example, in a simulation in which the light source unit 100, the atom cell unit 300, the support member 400, and the outer container surfaces 612 and 622 are modeled, the heat source unit 100 and the atom cell unit 300 generate heat, and the support member 400 and the outer container surface By obtaining the temperatures 612 and 622, the magnitude relationship between the first resistance, the second thermal resistance, and the third thermal resistance can be known.

  As described above, the support member 400 is provided with the through hole 412. The portion between the portion where the atom cell unit 300 is disposed and the light source support portion 420 of the atom cell support portion 410 is narrowed by the through holes 412, that is, the cross-sectional area is reduced. Thereby, the first thermal resistance can be increased. Further, as viewed in the Z-axis direction, the atomic cell unit 300 is disposed so as to overlap with the through hole 412. That is, there is a larger gap between the atomic cell unit 300 and the first outer container surface 612 than in the case without the through hole 412. Thereby, the movement of heat between the atomic cell unit 300 and the first outer container surface 612 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the through hole 412 is not provided.

  Here, FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the positioning of the atomic cell 310 with respect to the support member 400.

  The atom cell 310 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340 toward the heating element 381 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 13). In the illustrated example, the atom cell 310 is pressed against the wall 345 of the first atom cell container 340 in the −Y axis direction. The atom cell 310 is held by the first holding member 330, and the first holding member 330 is pressed against the heating element 381 by the first atom cell container 340. As described above, in the illustrated example, the atom cell 310 is pressed by pressing the first holding member 330 that holds the atom cell 310.

  The atom cell 310 is fixed to the first atom cell container 340 by a screw 331. In the illustrated example, a first holding member 330 for holding the atom cell 310 is fixed to the first atom cell container 340 by a screw 331. Thus, the atom cell 310 is fixed to the first atom cell container 340.

  By fixing the atom cell 310 to the first atom cell container 340 with the screw 331, the atom cell 310 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340 toward the heating element 381. In the illustrated example, the first holding member 330 is pressed against the first atomic cell container 340 toward the heating element 381 by fixing the first holding member 330 to the first atomic cell container 340 with the screw 331.

  Specifically, the first atom cell container 340 and the first holding member 330 are screwed by screwing a screw 331 through the through hole of the first atom cell container 340 into a screw hole of the first holding member 330 and tightening it. A fastening force (fastening force) acts, and the first atom cell container 340 and the first holding member 330 are fastened. By this fastening force, the first holding member 330, that is, the atom cell 310 is pressed toward the heating element 381 against the first atom cell container 340.

The heating element 381 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340 toward the atom cell 310 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 13). In the illustrated example, the heating element 381 is pressed against the wall 345 of the first atom cell container 340 in the + Y axis direction. The heating element 381 is held by the heater container 382, and the heater container 382 is pressed toward the atom cell 310 by the first atom cell container 340. As described above, in the illustrated example, the heating element 381 is pressed by the heater container 382 holding the heating element 381 being pressed.

  The heating element 381 is fixed to the second atomic cell container 370 accommodating the first atomic cell container 340 by a screw 389. In the illustrated example, the heater container 382 holding the heating element 381 is fixed to the second atomic cell container 370 by a screw 389. Thereby, the heating element 381 is fixed to the second atomic cell container 370.

  The heating element 381 is fixed to the second atom cell container 370 by the screw 389, whereby the heating element 381 is pressed to the first atom cell container 340 toward the atom cell 310. In the illustrated example, the heater container 382 is fixed to the second atom cell container 370 by the screw 389, whereby the heater container 382 is pressed to the first atom cell container 340 toward the atom cell 310.

  Specifically, screwing the screw 389 through the through holes 383a and 384a of the heater container 382 into the screw hole of the second atom cell container 370 and fastening the heater container 382 and the second atom cell container 370 Force (fastening force) acts to fasten the heater container 382 and the second atomic cell container 370. By this fastening force, the heater container 382, that is, the heating element 381 is pressed toward the atom cell 310 by the first atom cell container 340.

  The first atom cell container 340 is pressed against the first positioning member 350 by pressing the heating element 381 toward the atom cell 310 against the first atom cell container 340. In the illustrated example, the first atom cell container 340 has an outer surface 34 f on which the heating element 381 is disposed, and an outer surface 34 c opposite to the outer surface 34 f with respect to the atom cell 310. The outer surface 34 c is pressed against the block wall portions 352 c and 354 c (see FIGS. 5 and 7) of the first positioning member 350. When the first atomic cell container 340 is pressed against the first positioning member 350, the first holding member 330, ie, the atomic cell 310, takes the surface against which the outer surfaces 34c of the block wall portions 352c and 354c are pressed. It is positioned. Therefore, the atomic cell 310 can be arranged with high positional accuracy with respect to the support member 400.

  Furthermore, as described above, the atom cell 310 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340 toward the heating element 381 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 13), and the heating element 381 is directed to the first atom cell container toward the atom cell 310. It is pressed to 340 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 13). Therefore, the atomic cell 310 can be heated efficiently.

  The atomic oscillator 10 has, for example, the following features.

  The atomic oscillator 10 includes a protrusion 440 which is disposed closer to the free end 404 than the fixed end 402 of the support member 400 and protrudes toward the outer base 610. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, when the force is externally applied to the atomic oscillator 10 and the support member 400 is bent, the protrusion 440 contacts the outer base 610. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, the deformation of the support member 400 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the protrusion 440 is not disposed. In other words, in the atomic oscillator 10, the amount of deformation of the support member 400 can be reduced compared to the case where the protrusion 440 is not disposed. As a result, in the atomic oscillator 10, the positional relationship between the light source 120 and the atomic cell 310 can be suppressed from shifting.

In the atomic oscillator 10, the protrusion 440 contacts the outer base 610 before the support member 400 when the support member 400 bends and the free end 404 approaches the outer base 610. for that reason,
In the atomic oscillator 10, the deformation of the support member 400 can be suppressed as compared with the case where the protrusion 440 is not disposed.

  In the atomic oscillator 10, an air gap 2 is present between the protrusion 440 and the outer base 610. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, for example, the transfer of heat between the support member 400 and the protrusion 440 and the outer base 610 can be suppressed. Therefore, the temperature of the atom cell 310 or the light source 120 tends to be stable as compared with the case where there is no air gap between the protrusion 440 and the outer base 610.

  In the atomic oscillator 10, the material of the facing portion 444 facing at least the outer base 610 of the protrusion 440 is a heat insulating material. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, even if the protrusion 440 contacts the outer base 610, for example, heat transfer between the protrusion 440 and the outer base 610 can be suppressed.

  In the atomic oscillator 10, the light source 120 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, and the free end of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400. The atomic cell 310 is disposed on the 404 side. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, even if the support member 400 is bent, the projection 440 can suppress the displacement of the atomic cell 310 with respect to the light source 120.

  In the atomic oscillator 10, the atomic cell 310 and the outer cover 620 are connected. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, even if a force is applied to the outer lid 620, for example, and the support member 400 in which the atom cell 310 is disposed is bent, the deformation of the support member 400 can be suppressed by the protrusions 440.

  Furthermore, in the atomic oscillator 10, the atomic cell 310 and the outer cover 620 can be more reliably connected by the force at which the free end 404 of the support member 400 presses the atomic cell 310 against the outer cover 620. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, the heat of the heater unit 380 can be more reliably transmitted to the outer cover 620.

2. Modification of atomic oscillator 2.1. First Modified Example Next, an atomic oscillator according to a first modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an atomic oscillator 11 according to a first modification of the present embodiment. In addition, illustration of members other than the outer container 600 and the low thermal conductivity member 630 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. 14 for convenience.

  Hereinafter, in the atomic oscillator 11 according to the first modified example of the present embodiment, only differences from the example of the atomic oscillator 10 according to the present embodiment described above will be described, and the description of the same points will be omitted. This is the same in the atomic oscillators according to the second and third modified examples of the present embodiment described later.

  In the atomic oscillator 11, as shown in FIG. 14, the thermal conductivity of the outer base portion 610 and the thermal conductivity of the outer lid portion 620 are higher than the thermal conductivity of the outer base portion 610 and the outer lid portion 620. Is different from the above-described atomic oscillator 10 in that it includes a low thermal conductivity member 630 having a low thermal conductivity.

  The outer base portion 610 and the outer cover portion 620 may be joined by a low thermal conductivity member 630. Examples of the low thermal conductivity member 630 include a resin film, a resin-based adhesive in which a resin is dissolved in a solvent, and a solder.

In the atomic oscillator 11, as described above, the outer base 6 is disposed between the outer base 610 and the outer lid 620.
And a low thermal conductivity member 630 having a thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of 10 and the thermal conductivity of the outer cover 620. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 11, it is possible to make it difficult to transfer heat between the outer base portion 610 and the outer cover portion 620. Thereby, in the atomic oscillator 11, the heat of the light source unit 100 is transmitted to the atomic cell 310 through the outer container 600, and the heat of the atomic cell unit 300 is transmitted to the light source 120 more reliably. it can.

2.2. Second Modified Example Next, an atomic oscillator according to a second modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an atomic oscillator 12 according to a second modification of the present embodiment. For convenience, in FIG. 15, illustration of members other than the support member 400, the protrusion 440, the screw 442, and the outer base portion 610 is omitted.

  In the atomic oscillator 12, as shown in FIG. 15, the material of the facing portion 616 facing at least the protrusion 440 of the outer base 610 is a heat insulating material. Specifically, the material of the facing portion 616 is the same as the positioning members 350 and 360.

  In the atomic oscillator 12, since the material of the facing portion 616 facing at least the protrusion 440 of the outer base 610 is a heat insulating material, the heat of the heater unit 380 is a protrusion even if the protrusion 440 contacts the outer base 610, for example. Transmission to the outer base 610 via 440 can be suppressed more reliably. Although not shown, the material of the facing portion 616 and the material of the portion other than the facing portion 616 of the outer base 610 may be a heat insulating material. In addition, the material of the facing portion 444 of the protrusion 440 and the material of the facing portion 616 of the outer base 610 may be a heat insulating material, or only one of them may be a heat insulating material.

2.3. Third Modified Example Next, an atomic oscillator according to a third modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an atomic oscillator 13 according to a third modification of the present embodiment. For the sake of convenience, in FIG. 16, illustration of members other than the light source unit 100, the atomic cell unit 300, the support member 400, the protrusion 440, and the outer container 600 is omitted and each member is illustrated in a simplified manner.

  In the atomic oscillator 10 described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 100 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, and the fixed end 402 side of the support member 400. The atom cell unit 300 is disposed on the free end 404 side of the free end 404 side.

  On the other hand, in the atomic oscillator 13, as shown in FIG. 16, the atomic cell unit 300 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, and the support member 400 is fixed. The light source unit 100 is disposed on the free end 404 side of the end 402 side and the free end 404 side. That is, in the atomic oscillator 13, the atom cell 310 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, and the atomic end 310 and the free end 404 of the support member 400. The light source 120 is disposed on the free end 404 side. Further, the atomic cell unit 300 is connected to the first outer container surface 612 via the pedestal portion 611, and the light source unit 100 is connected to the second outer container surface 622 directly or via a heat transfer member. At least one of the heat transfer member and the Peltier element may be disposed in the vicinity of the pedestal portion 611 or the pedestal portion 611.

In the atomic oscillator 13, as described above, the atom cell 310 is disposed on the fixed end 402 side of the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, and the fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400. Of the sides, the light source 120 is disposed on the free end 404 side. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 13, the protrusion 440 can prevent the light source 120 from being displaced with respect to the atomic cell 310.

  Further, although not shown, the support member 400 may have only one portion fixed to the outer base 610, and the position of the fixed end 402 (fixed portion) may not be the end of the support member 400. For example, the fixed part may be near the center of the support member and both ends of the support member may be free ends. In this case, the atom cell 310 may be disposed on one free end side of the fixed part and the light source 120 may be disposed on the other free end side of the fixed part. Also, the protrusions 440 may be disposed at both of the two free ends, or the protrusions 440 may be disposed at the free end having a relatively longer length from the fixed portion to the end.

3. Frequency Signal Generation System Next, a frequency signal generation system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The following clock transmission system (timing server) is an example of a frequency signal generation system. FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram showing a clock transmission system 90. As shown in FIG.

  A clock transmission system according to the present invention includes the atomic oscillator according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a clock transmission system 90 including the atomic oscillator 10 will be described as an example.

  The clock transmission system 90 is for matching the clocks of the respective devices in the time division multiplex network, and is a system having a redundancy configuration of N (Normal) and E (Emergency).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the clock transmission system 90 supplies clock signals from the clock supply device 901 of station A (upper (N system)) and SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) device 902 and station B (upper (E system)). A device 903 and an SDH device 904, and a clock supply device 905 and SDH devices 906 and 907 at station C (lower) are provided. The clock supply device 901 has an atomic oscillator 10 and generates an N-system clock signal. The atomic oscillator 10 in the clock supply unit 901 generates a clock signal in synchronization with a more accurate clock signal from a master clock 908, 909 including an atomic oscillator using cesium.

  The SDH device 902 transmits and receives a main signal based on a clock signal from the clock supply device 901, superimposes an N-system clock signal on the main signal, and transmits it to the lower clock supply device 905. The clock supply device 903 has an atomic oscillator 10 and generates an E-system clock signal. The atomic oscillator 10 in the clock supply unit 903 generates a clock signal in synchronization with a more accurate clock signal from a master clock 908, 909 including an atomic oscillator using cesium.

  The SDH device 904 transmits and receives the main signal based on the clock signal from the clock supply device 903, superimposes the E-system clock signal on the main signal, and transmits it to the lower clock supply device 905. The clock supply unit 905 receives clock signals from the clock supply units 901 and 903 and generates a clock signal in synchronization with the received clock signal.

The clock supply unit 905 normally generates a clock signal in synchronization with the N-system clock signal from the clock supply unit 901. Then, when an abnormality occurs in the N system, the clock supply device 905 generates a clock signal in synchronization with the E system clock signal from the clock supply device 903. By switching from the N system to the E system in this manner, stable clock supply can be secured, and the reliability of the clock path network can be enhanced. The SDH device 906 transmits and receives the main signal based on the clock signal from the clock supply device 905. Similarly, the SDH device 907 transmits and receives the main signal based on the clock signal from the clock supply device 905. Thus, the device of station C can be synchronized with the device of station A or station B.

  The frequency signal generation system according to the present embodiment is not limited to the clock transmission system. The frequency signal generation system includes a system including an atomic oscillator and various devices utilizing a frequency signal of the atomic oscillator and a plurality of devices.

  The frequency signal generation system according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a watch, a mobile phone, a digital still camera, a liquid discharge device (for example, an ink jet printer), a personal computer, a television, a video camera, a video tape recorder, car navigation Devices, pagers, electronic organizers, electronic dictionaries, calculators, electronic game machines, word processors, workstations, video phones, television monitors for crime prevention, electronic binoculars, POS (point of sales) terminals, medical devices (such as electronic thermometers, sphygmomanometers, Blood glucose meter, electrocardiogram measurement device, ultrasound diagnostic device, electronic endoscope, magnetocardiogram), fish finder, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) frequency standard, various measuring instruments, instruments (for example, car, aircraft, ship) Instruments), flight simulation Ta, terrestrial digital broadcasting system, a mobile phone base station, mobile (automobile, aircraft, ships, etc.).

  In the present invention, a part of the configuration may be omitted as long as the features and effects described in the present application are obtained, or each embodiment or modification may be combined.

  The present invention includes configurations substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations having the same function, method and result, or configurations having the same purpose and effect). Further, the present invention includes a configuration in which a nonessential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that can achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. Further, the present invention includes a configuration in which a known technology is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

2, 4, 6 ... Air gap, 10, 11, 12, 13 ... Atomic oscillator, 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f, 34g ... Outer surface, 90 ... Clock transmission system, 100 ... Light source unit, 110 ... Peltier Element 120 Light source 130 Temperature sensor 140 Light source container 150 Light source substrate 200 Optical system unit 210 Attenuating filter 220 Lens 230 230 quarter wave plate 240 Holder 250 ... through hole, 300 ... atom cell unit, 310 ... atom cell, 312 ... first space, 314 ... second space, 316 ... communication hole, 320 ... light receiving element, 322 ... temperature sensor, 324 ... coil, 330 ... first Holding member, 330a, 330b: through hole, 331: screw, 332: second holding member, 333: screw, 340: first atomic cell container, 341 First corner, 342: second corner, 343: third corner, 344: fourth corner, 345: wall, 346: heat transfer member, 350: first positioning member, 352: first block, 352a ... block base, 352b, 352c ... block wall, 354 ... second block, 354a ... block base, 354b, 354c ... block wall, 356 ... connection, 357 ... first fixed structure, 357a ... screw hole, 357b: screw, 358: second fixed structure, 358a: screw hole, 358b: screw, 360: second positioning member, 362: third block, 362a: block base, 362b, 362c: block wall, 364: third 4 block, 364a ... block base, 364b, 364c ... block wall, 366 ... connection, 369 ... spacer, 370 ... second atomic cell container, 3 0a ... through hole, 372 ... fixed part, 374 ... screw, 376 ... heat insulation member, 380 ... heater unit, 381 ... heating element, 382 ... heater container, 383 ... heater lid, 383 a ... through hole, 384 ... heater base, 384a: through hole, 385, 386, 387: heat insulating member, 388a: first portion, 388b: second portion, 389: screw, 390: Peltier element, 392: heat transfer member, 400: support member, 402: fixed end , 404: atomic cell support portion, 412: through hole, 420: light source support portion, 422: through hole, 440: projection, 442: screw, 444: facing portion, 500: control unit, 502: circuit Substrate 503 through hole 504 lead pin 510 temperature control unit 520 light source control unit 530 magnetic field control unit 540 temperature control unit 6 00: outer container, 602: screw, 610: outer base, 611: pedestal portion, 612: first outer container surface, 612a: first region, 612b: second region, 612c: third region, 614: heat transfer member 616: Opposite portion, 620: outer lid, 622: second outer container surface, 630: low thermal conductivity member, 901: clock supply device, 902: SDH device, 903: clock supply device, 904: SDH device, 905 ... Clock supply device, 906, 907 ... SDH device, 908, 909 ... Master clock

Claims (9)

A substrate,
A light source for emitting light,
An atomic cell which contains an alkali metal atom and into which light emitted from the light source is incident;
A support member including a portion on which the light source and the atom cell are disposed and fixed to the substrate, and an end portion having a gap between the substrate and the portion;
A protrusion which is disposed closer to the end than the fixed part of the support member and protrudes toward the substrate;
Containing, atomic oscillators. In claim 1,
The atomic oscillator contacts the substrate earlier than the support member when the support member is bent and the end approaches the substrate. In claim 1 or 2,
An atomic oscillator, wherein there is an air gap between the protrusion and the substrate. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
An atomic oscillator, wherein a material of at least a portion of the protrusion facing the substrate is a heat insulating material. In any one of claims 1 to 4,
An atomic oscillator, wherein a material of a portion facing at least the protrusion of the substrate is a heat insulating material. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The light source is disposed on the fixed part side of the fixed part side and the end side of the support member,
An atomic oscillator, wherein the atomic cell is disposed on the end side among the fixed part side and the end side of the support member. In claim 6,
Including a container containing the light source, the atom cell, and the support member, and having the substrate and a lid;
The atomic oscillator and the lid are connected to each other. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The atomic cell is disposed on the fixed part side of the fixed part side and the end side of the support member,
The atomic oscillator, wherein the light source is disposed on the end side among the fixed part side and the end side of the support member. A frequency signal generation system including an atomic oscillator,
The atomic oscillator is
A substrate,
A light source for emitting light,
An atomic cell which contains an alkali metal atom and into which light emitted from the light source is incident;
A support member including a portion on which the light source and the atom cell are disposed and fixed to the substrate, and an end portion having a gap between the substrate and the portion;
A protrusion which is disposed closer to the end than the fixed part of the support member and protrudes toward the substrate;
Frequency signal generation system, including: