Physics of systematic frequency variations in hydrogen masers

Author

Mattison, Edward M.

Author_Institution

Smithsonian Astrophys. Obs., Cambridge, MA, USA

Volume

39

Issue

2

fYear

1992

fDate

3/1/1992 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

250

Lastpage

255

Abstract

The frequency stability of hydrogen masers for intervals longer than 10/sup 4/ s is currently limited by systematic processes. The physics of frequency-determining mechanisms internal to the maser that are susceptible to systematic variations, and the connections between these internal mechanisms and external environmental factors are discussed. From estimates of the magnitudes of systematic effects, it is found that the primary internal mechanisms limiting long-term maser frequency stability are cavity pulling, at the level of parts in 10/sup 15/ per day, and wall shift variations, at the level of parts in 10/sup 16/ to parts in 10/sup 15/ per day. Strategies for reducing systematic frequency variations are discussed.<>

Keywords

atomic clocks; frequency measurement; frequency stability; hydrogen; masers; measurement standards; H masers; cavity pulling; external environmental factors; frequency stability; frequency standard; frequency-determining mechanisms; systematic frequency variations; wall shift variations; 1f noise; Additive noise; Driver circuits; Environmental factors; Frequency estimation; Hydrogen; Masers; Physics; Thermal stability;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-3010

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/58.139121

Filename

139121