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Ultra-stable performance of the superconducting cavity maserRecent measurements on the superconducting cavity maser (SCM) oscillator show frequency stability of parts in 10 exp 15 for times from 1 to 1000 sec. Phase noise of approximately -80 dB/f-cubed was also measured. This short- and mid-term performance is believed to be better than that of any known microwave oscillator. In particular, stability at a measuring time of 1 sec is 10 times better than that of a hydrogen maser, and phase noise at 8 GHz is more than 20 dB below that of the best multiplied quartz crystal oscillators. Substantial technical improvements have been made to eliminate frequency instability due to operational parameters. They are temperature, pump frequency, pump power, pump frequency polarization, temperature gradient, coupling strength, and output VSWR. Either the parameter was stabilized or the coefficient which couples the parameter to the operating frequency was minimized. A frequency pulling coil has been implemented and tested to enable the SCM to be slaved to a hydrogen maser with a time constant of approximately 50 sec. This combination would allow the excellent long term performance of the hydrogen maser to be improved by the newly available short term performance of the SCM.
Document ID
19920037477
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Dick, G. J.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Wang, Rabi T.
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement
Volume: 40
ISSN: 0018-9456
Subject Category
Lasers And Masers
Accession Number
92A20101
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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