The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 1984

Filed:

Jul. 01, 1980
Applicant:
Inventor:

Leonard S Cutler, Los Altos Hills, CA (US);

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01S / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
372 70 ; 372 37 ;
Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for optically pumping the atoms of an atomic beam into a single trap state. An atomic beam is produced and is passed through a region of weak magnetic field to produce a magnetic splitting of energy levels. The beam is illuminated with a laser beam to produce selected excitations. The spectral distribution of the laser light is selected (1) to excite the atoms of the atomic beam to excited levels from which the atoms can decay into the trap state and (2) to avoid exciting atoms out of the trap state. Particular applications of the method and apparatus are described for atomic or ionic clocks and masers.


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