US 12,188,784 B2
Vapor cell for atomic physics sensors
Eric A. Imhof, Albuquerque, NM (US); Thomas G. Spence, Ellicott City, MD (US); Steven Ryan Jefferts, Woodland Hills, CA (US); and Michael D. Bulatowicz, Sun Prairie, WI (US)
Assigned to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by Eric A. Imhof, Albuquerque, NM (US); Thomas G. Spence, Ellicott City, MD (US); Steven Ryan Jefferts, Woodland Hills, CA (US); and Michael D. Bulatowicz, Sun Prairie, WI (US)
Filed on Dec. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/552,909.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/126,704, filed on Dec. 17, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/126,978, filed on Dec. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0196444 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. G01D 11/24 (2006.01); G04F 5/14 (2006.01)
CPC G01D 11/245 (2013.01) [G04F 5/14 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vapor cell for an atomic physics-based sensor system, the vapor cell comprising:
a cell wall formed from an approximately transparent material, the cell wall enclosing an alkali metal vapor and comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the cell wall having a first thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface; and
at least one structural feature formed integral with the cell wall and extending along a portion of at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface, each of the at least one structural feature being arranged as a portion of the cell wall having a thickness that is greater than the first thickness to increase structural integrity of the cell wall.