1989 Nobel Prize in

Physics
For contributions of importance for the development of atomic precision spectroscopy

Norman F. Ramsey
Hans G. Dehmelt
Wolfgang Paul

Norman F. Ramsey
Works at Columbia with Isidor Rabi who
develops the basis for Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance (1944 Nobel Prize)
Improves on Rabis method with the invention
of the separated oscillatory field method
Improvement forms the basis for atomic
clocks
Worked with Hydrogen Masers to try to
improve accuracy

Rabis Resonance Method

Nuclei in static + rotating magnetic fields

Inhomogeneous
magnetic field from
magnets A and B
Rotating magnetic
field in all of region C
When
,spin
will continuously
fluctuate, leading to
drop in intensity at
the detector

Separated Oscillatory Field

Method
Two separate fields at beginning
and end of tube
If angular momentum initially
aligned with fixed field, magnitude
of magnetic field can be selected so
that = /2 due to first field
if w = w0, second field will have
same efect, so = (reversal of
angular momentum)
= 0 for phase diference and
2n
only exact resonance independent
of velocity

Separated Oscillatory Field

Method
Graphs of transition
probabilities
Narrower resonance peak
(difraction)
Accuracy not afected by nonuniformities in magnetic field
Description in terms of
spins/moments or transition
between two energy states

Hydrogen Maser

Provides a precise frequency

standard

To get a narrower resonance

width, need atoms in central
region longer because of the
uncertainty principle

Tried to trap atoms in

storage box before passing
through second field

Hydrogen Maser

Very stable and precise oscillation frequency

(1420MHz)
Accuracy up to 10^-16

Cesium Atomic Clock

Molecular beam of cesium atoms passed through separated
oscillatory field device to match frequency of atomic transition
transitions beween hyperfine structure energy levels
Accuracies to about 10^-14

Some Applications

Precision Spectroscopy

atomic spectra

magnetic moments

Precise matching in time of radio telescopes across the earth for larger apertures

Measurement of pulsars and binary star systems (gravitational waves)

Vessot Rocket Clock Experiment

Hazel and Keating Flying clock experiment

GPS

Voyager Navigation

References
"Nobel Prize in Physics 1989. Press release". The Royal Swedish Academy of
Sciences. 12 October 1989.
N.F. Ramsay (1990). Experiments with separated oscillatory fields and
Hydrogen Masers. Rev. Mod. Phys. Vol. 62, No.3
L. Essen, J.V.L. Parry (1955). "An Atomic Standard of Frequency and Time
Interval: A Caesium Resonator". Nature 176 (4476): 280.
US Naval Observatory, Cesium clocks
Hafele, J. C.; Keating, R. E. (July 14, 1972). "Around-the-World Atomic Clocks:
Predicted Relativistic Time Gains". Science 177 (4044): 166168.
R.F.C. Vessot; et al. (1980). "Test of Relativistic Gravitation with a Space-Borne
Hydrogen Maser". Physical Review Letters 45 (26): 20812084.