Abstract
A theoretical method for the passive Hydrogen MASER optimization of the operating conditions: interrogation signal level and atomic beam intensity, and of the designing parameters is introduced. The method does not depend on the modulation or the locking technique. The results calculated numerically are plotted, and the relations required determining other quantities of practical interest are provided. A normal full-size MASER and a reduced size one are calculated as example. Theoretical limits of the Hydrogen frequency primary standard stability are deduced (derived). It is demonstrated that the stability limits in passive and active operation coincide and that they ultimately depend by temperature and confinement volume, other influences being possible to be made negligible through electronic enhancement of the quality factor of the reduced size MASER.
Keywords
Atomic frequency standards, Hydrogen MASER, Passive operation optimization.
Citation
C. MIRICĂ, L. GIURGIU, On the stability limits of the hydrogen maser, Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials - Rapid Communications, 4, 3, March 2010, pp.431-437 (2010).
Submitted at: March 8, 2010
Accepted at: March 12, 2010