Patent ID: 7944317

Claim:
An atomic clock comprising: a physics package that comprises a vacuum chamber cavity that holds alkali metal atoms in a passive vacuum, an arrangement of light paths and mirrors that directs a beam of light from a single laser light source through the physics package to create three retro-reflected optical beams that cross at 90° angles relative to one another in the vacuum chamber cavity and at least one photo-detector port; a micro-optics bench that comprises the single laser light source, a vapor cell containing an alkali metal for stabilizing the beam of light from the single laser light source to a frequency corresponding to a predetermined atomic transition of the alkali metal, and a distribution mirror for distributing the beam of light from the single laser light source to the vapor cell and the physics package; a plurality of magnetic field coils for generating a magnetic field, whereby the magnetic field and the retro-reflected optical beams create a magneto optical trap for the alkali metal atoms of the physic package; a local oscillator for generating a microwave signal corresponding to the predetermined atomic transition of the alkali metal; an antenna for coupling the microwave signal to the alkali metal atoms of the physic package; at least one photo-detector for detecting florescent light emissions of the alkali metal atoms of the physics package; and control electronics for providing power to the atomic clock, controlling the operation of the atomic clock and processing signals from the photo-detector.