RUBIDIUM

Rubidium Uses
Rubidium is easily ionized and because of this has been considered for use in "ion engines" for space vehicles; however, cesium is somewhat more efficient for this purpose. It is also proposed for use as a working fluid for vapor turbines and for use in a thermoelectric generator using the magneto-hydrodynamic principle where rubidium ions are formed by heat at high temperature and passed through a magnetic field. These conduct electricity and act like an armature of a generator thereby generating an electric current. Rubidium is used as a getter in vacuum tubes and as a photocell component. It has been used in making special glasses.

Rubidium Atomic Clock
There are three different types of atomic clocks – cesium, hydrogen and rubidium. The principle behind all of them remains the same. The major difference is associated with the element used and the means of detecting when the energy level changes. Rubidium atomic clocks are the simplest and most compact of all. They use a glass cell of rubidium gas that changes its absorption of light at the optical rubidium frequency when the surrounding microwave frequency is just right.

Symmetricom Rubidium Frequency Standards
Symmetricom manufactures rubidium gas cell frequency standards for various applications including digital network timing, navigation timing, secure tactical communications and secondary references for manufacturing, simulators and GPS receivers. Ranging from rack mounted instruments to militarized components these rubidium frequency standards offer low per month aging rates, excellent long-term stability performance, configuration flexibility, small size, low weight and cost effectiveness.

For more information about Symmetricom's Rubidium frequency standards, click here.