Characterization of an All-Cryogenic Oscillator as a Stable Frequency Source

D.M. Strayer, G.J. Dick and J.E. Mercereau

Abstract:	An entirely cryogenic stable oscillator has been constructed and preliminary evaluation is underway. The oscillator consists of r' a ruby maser stabilized by a superconducting resonator. A unique & three-cavity coupling technique isolates the superconductlng stabilizer cavity from the biasing magnetic field of the maser while 1 simultaneously providing electromagnetic coupling between these same elements. This general design has been developed Into a configuration that is particularly rigid with respect to physical, thermal and electromagnetic distortions. Maser oscillation at 2.69 GHz is developed by a 500 Gauss magnetic field, supplied by a superconducting magnet in persistent mode, and is stimulated by a 13.04 GHz pump signal. The maser operates at very low input 1 power (~10-~W) with approximately a 2 K noise temperature. The stabilizer cavity consists of a solid sapphire spool onto which a superconducting film has been deposited.2 1 This system has been integrated into a 4He cryostat capable of temperatures below 0.9 K. Frequency pulling effects caused by changes in pump amplitude, in pump frequency, in temperature and in magnetic field are being characterized. With a moderate system Q (Q = 10^8) the stability of the cryogenic oscillator exceeds that of our present rubidium reference oscillator.
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:	173 - 188
Cite this article:	Strayer, D.M., Dick, G.J., Mercereau, J.E., "Characterization of an All-Cryogenic Oscillator as a Stable Frequency Source," Proceedings of the 17th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Washington, DC, December 1985, pp. 173-188.
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