The First Atomic Clock Program: NBS, 1947-1954

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 accomplishment -- and its eclipse. Keywords: Microwaves Ammonia clocks, Cesium.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 03, 1985
Accession Number
ADA182398

Entities

People

  • Paul Forman

Organizations

  • Smithsonian Institution

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Atomic Beams
  • Atomic Clocks
  • Electromagnetic Wave Propagation
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Standards
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Measurement
  • Microwave Frequency
  • Microwave Spectroscopy
  • Observatories
  • Oscillators
  • Radio Frequency
  • Second World War
  • Spectral Lines
  • Spectroscopy
  • Standards

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.