All solid state ion-conducting cesium source for atomic clocks

Cesium containing glass with solid metal electrodes was used as a Cs atom source in a high vacuum system. A silver anode provides an injection source of highly mobile ions which sweep Cs to the cathode surface, from which they evaporate into the vacuum. Cathode metallization with finger patterns was used leaving bare glass for Cs evaporation. Laser absorption measurements show Cs vapor generation synchronous with an applied DC voltage.