The First Atomic Clock Program: NBS, 1947-1954

Paul Forman

Abstract:	In the years immediately after the Second World War, the techniques developed for microwave radar were applied to the stabilization of klystron oscillators by the 24GHz inversion transition of the ammonia molecule. Following these initial demonstrations of the principle, Harold Lyons, Chief of the Microwave Standards Section of the Bureau of Standards' Central Radio Propagation Laboratory, built up a comprehensive program of atomic clock development. This paper describes that program's history, scope, and accomplishments -- and its eclipse.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 17th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting December 3 - 5, 1985 DuPont Plaza Hotel Washington, DC
Pages:	1 - 18
Cite this article:	Forman, Paul, "The First Atomic Clock Program: NBS, 1947-1954," Proceedings of the 17th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Washington, DC, December 1985, pp. 1-18.
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