| abstract |
The present invention concerns a device ( 1 ) for an atomic clock, the device comprising:—a printed circuit board ( 20 ), said printed circuit board ( 20 ) comprising a conductive piece( 10 ) for both interrogating and heating a gas in a cell of an atomic clock, the piece ( 10 ) comprising a gap ( 11 ), and being arranged for containing the cell ( 2 ), and so as to directly touch the cell ( 2 ) in at least one point,—a heating source ( 40, 60 ) for generating heat, and connected to the piece ( 10 ),—microwave conductive means ( 12 ) and arranged to be connected to the piece ( 10 ) so as to send to the piece ( 10 ) a microwave signal for interrogating the atoms of the gas in the cell ( 2 ). This device performs more than one function (e.g. heating and interrogating) and simplify the manufacturing of the atomic clock. |