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At least 55 records · Page 3

Influence of modulation frequency in rubidium cell frequency standards

The error signal which is used to control the frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator of a passive rubidium cell frequency standard is considered. The value of the slope of this signal, for an interrogation frequency close to the atomic transition frequency is calculated and measured for various phase (or frequency) modulation waveforms, and for several values of the modulation frequency. A theoretical analysis is made using a model which applies to a system in which the optical pumping rate, the relaxation rates and the RF field are homogeneous. Results are given for sine-wave phase modulation, square-wave frequency modulation and square-wave phase modulation. The influence of the modulation frequency on the slope of the error signal is specified. It is shown that the modulation frequency can be chosen as large as twice the non-saturated full-width at half-maximum without a drastic loss of the sensitivity to an offset of the interrogation frequency from center line, provided that the power saturation factor and the amplitude of modulation are properly adjusted.

Audoin, C.↗

The system design of a rubidium maser frequency standard

The Rubidium Maser Frequency Standard is a precision frequency source with excellent short-term stability. A type PBR-II Rb maser frequency standard was developed by the Beijing Institute of Radio Metrology and Measurement (BIRMM). The time-domain frequency stability (two-sample variance) of this frequency standard is less than 1/5 times 10 to the 13th power for t=10ms yields 1.0s, fh=1.0 KHz. Two PBR-II frequency standards were used as reference frequency sources in a frequency stability measurement system. Some important system characteristics for the PBR-II Rb maser frequency standard such as phase noise and frequency stability transfer characteristics are discussed. Furthermore, the design of the frequency standard for optimum frequency stability of the output signal; the choice of a voltage controlled crystal oscillator for the frequency standard; the design of the phase-locked loop; and the frequency stability test results on the PBR-II are discussed.

Xiong, C. X.↗

Frequency shifts in a rubidium frequency standard due to coupling to another standard

Highly reliable timing system, such as used on board satellites, may incorporate a hot standby atomic clock besides the active one. RF couplings between them may affect the performance of the active clock. The effect of such couplings between two rubidium atomic clocks was investigated, and it was found that they will add an oscillatory term to the Allan Variance of the active clock, degrading its frequency stability, and that under certain circumstances they may also shift the active clock's operating frequency. These two effects are discussed in detail, and the level of isolation required to render them negligible is established.

Jaduszliwer, Bernardo↗

Interim results from the characterization testing of the Engineering Development (EDM) rubidium clocks for satellite applications

Some interim results from the environmental testing program to evaluate the Engineering Design Model (EDM) of the EG and G Spaceborne Rubidium Clock are presented. This effort is in support of the Global Positioning System (GPS) BLOCK IIR program and is intended to characterize the performance of EG and G design for BLOCK IIR satellite applications. Two EG and G EDM units are currently under test at NRL's Clock Test Facility to measure the long-term frequency stability, drift, and frequency versus temperature characteristics.

Powers, Edward D., Jr.↗

Measuring frequency changes due to microwave power variations as a function of C-field setting in a rubidium frequency standard

It has been shown in previous studies that in some cesium frequency standards there exist certain C-field settings that minimize frequency changes that are due to variations in the microwave power. In order to determine whether similar results could be obtained with rubidium (Rb) frequency standards (clocks), we performed a similar study, using a completely automated measurement system, on a commercial Rb standard. From our measurements we found that changing the microwave power to the filter cell resulted in significant changes in frequency, and that the magnitude of these frequency changes at low C-field levels went to zero and decreased as the C-field was increased.

E. B. Sarosy↗

Amplified spontaneous emission measurement of a line-narrowed, tunable, Ti:Al2O3 amplifier using rubidium absorption

Amplified spontaneous emission, ASE, generated by a Ti:Al2O3 laser amplifier has been measured as a function of pump energy, and thus gain, using the atomic absorption of rubidium, Rb, gas at 0.780 micron. By tuning the Ti:Al2O3 laser, the Rb cell could selectively absorb the narrow spectral bandwidth laser radiation while transmitting the wide spectral bandwidth ASE. Transmission of laser amplifier pulses through a Rb absorption cell, measured at various temperatures, thus allows the measurement of the weak ASE in the vicinity of the strong laser pulse. A model for the transmission of Rb as a function of temperature and wavelength has been developed. The measured transmissions are in good agreement with the transmission model predictions.

Barnes, James C.↗

Rubidium gas cell studies

The stability of Rb-87 optically pumped masers and Rb gas cells is examined. Descriptions are given of the technical procedures used in construction and the changes made to solve the problems encountered in the electronics of the systems.

Vanier, J.↗

Rubidium-strontium isotope characteristics of lunar soils.

Evaluation of K, Rb, and Sr concentrations and Sr isotopic composition for hand-picked fractions from the 175- to 1000-micron Apollo 12 fines samples 12032 and 12070 and for two less than 1-mm bulk fines samples, 14163,160 and 14259,21, from Apollo 14 which have model Rb-Sr ages close to 4.6 b.y. The Apollo 14 data indicate the presence of a radiogenic component of 4.6 b.y. model age like the Apollo 12 fines, confirming a very early geochemical differentiation of the moon. Progressively greater enrichment in K and Rb relative to the bulk fines is shown by microbreccia from both samples, ropy brown glass from 12032, and light-grey lithic fragments from 12032. Model Rb-Sr ages, based on a basaltic achondrite initial ratio, are generally close to 4.6 b.y. The microbreccias and ropy brown glass have model ages that are younger but indistinguishable from 4.6 b.y. within analytical error. Light grey lithic fragments from 12032 have a model age of 5.1 b.y. and must have had a multistage Rb/Sr evolution. The data are broadly compatible with two-component mixing models of the Apollo 12 fines. On the basis of modal composition, the microbreccia is considered the major nonbasaltic constituent.

Cliff, R. A.↗