Let’s talk atomic clock technology!

Before we get into the details of the thermally-improved Microsemi chip scale atomic clock, allow me to share about what an atomic clock is… it’s an electrical oscillator regulated by the natural vibration frequencies of an atomic system, such as a beam of cesium atoms, ammonia atoms, or rubidium.

Atomic clocks are inherently more accurate than quartz clocks, because their source of oscillation depends on atomic characteristics, while quartz clocks depend on the precision of the manufacturing process used to create the quartz crystal. Quartz clocks also tend to vary more with temperature. Read more about the types of atomic clocks.

A leader in atomic clock technology, on a weighted average basis, Microsemi atomic clocks provide over 90% of the input to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). Microsemi is the world’s only commercial provider of cesium beam-tube clocks, used in national labs around the world. Microsemi is also the leading provider of gas-cell atomic clocks, including the Chip Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC), the world’s smallest and lowest-power atomic clock, and the Miniature Atomic Clock (MAC).

In my next article, I’ll introduce you to the thermally-improved Microsemi chip scale atomic clock.

Please allow me to answer any questions you may have on chip scale atomic clocks; connect with me on LinkedIn.

Tags: Chip Sale Atomic Clock, CSAC, Gas Cell Atomic Clocks, Quartz Clock, Timing