Design of a Hydrogen Maser for Space

Abstract

An active atomic hydrogen maser for long-term use in space has been designed and built as part of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Hydrogen Master Clock (HMC) project. We describe features of the maser's mechanical, magnetic, and thermal design that are important to its performance in space. The flight hardware has been tested in a laboratory vacuum chamber. We report measurements of the performance of the maser's control systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA500964

Entities

People

  • E. M. Mattison
  • R. F. Vessot

Organizations

  • Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atomic Beam Masers
  • Cavity Resonators
  • Circuits
  • Climate Change
  • Control Systems
  • Electronic Components
  • Electronics
  • Elements
  • Frequency
  • Heat Transmission
  • Hydrogen
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Masers
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermistors
  • Vacuum

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Space