Abstract

We describe recent progress in the development of millimeter-scale instruments based on alkali atom vapor cells implemented with micro fabrication techniques. Because of their small size and correspondingly low power requirements, these “chip-scale” atomic clocks and magnetometers have the potential to bring atomically precise instrumentation to portable, battery-operated systems such as GPS receivers, remote sensors and wireless communication devices. In addition, wafer-level processing and assembly potentially allows for very low cost per instrument if high volumes are produced.

© 2007 IEEE