Patent ID: 10828618

Abstract:
Some variations provide an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal atom source (e.g., vapor cell) with a solid ionic conductor and a mixed ion-electron conductor electrode. Mixed ion-electron conductor electrodes are used as efficient sources and/or as sinks for alkali metal or alkaline earth metal atoms, thus enabling electrical control over metal atom content in the vapor cell. Some variations provide a vapor-cell system comprising: a vapor-cell region configured to allow a vapor-cell optical path into a vapor-cell vapor phase; a first electrode containing an mixed ion-electron conductor that is conductive for an ion of at least one element selected from Rb, Cs, Na, K, or Sr; a second electrode electrically isolated from the first electrode; and an ion-conducting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The ion-conducting layer is ionically conductive for at least one ionic species selected from Rb+, Cs+, Na+, K+, or Sr2+.