Systems and methods for a dual purpose getter container

Abstract

Systems and methods for a dual purpose getter container are provided. In certain embodiments, an atomic sensor device comprises a sensor body, the sensor body enclosing an atomic sensor; a getter container coupled to an opening in the sensor body, wherein a first opening in the getter container is coupled to the opening in the sensor body; and a second opening located on the getter container, wherein gas within the sensor body can pass through the second opening. Further, the device may include a getter enclosed within the getter container, the getter coating surfaces of the getter container, such that gas within the sensor body can enter the getter container and contact the getter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An atomic sensor device, the device comprising:
 a sensor body, the sensor body enclosing an atomic sensor;   a getter container coupled to an opening in the sensor body, wherein a first opening in the getter container is coupled to the opening in the sensor body;   a second opening located on the getter container, wherein gas within the sensor body can pass through the second opening;   a getter enclosed within the getter container, the getter coating surfaces of the getter container, such that gas within the sensor body can enter the getter container and contact the getter.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first fill tube connected to the second opening. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a second fill tube connected to a further opening in the sensor body. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first fill tube is configured to evacuate gas from within the sensor body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first fill tube is configured to allow the introduction of an alkali metal into the sensor body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first fill tube is connected to the getter container with a vacuum seal. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the vacuum seal is formed using a frit. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor body is fabricated of a first end, a second end, and a center portion, wherein the first end and the second end are vacuum sealed to opposite ends of the center portion using a frit, wherein the first opening is located in one of the first end, the second end, and the center portion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a getter securer configured to secure a reservoir of getter material at a location within the getter container before activation of the getter material, wherein the reservoir of getter material faces away from the sensor body. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the getter material in the reservoir is activated by inductive heating such that the getter material evaporates away from the reservoir to form the getter. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional getter container; wherein the sensor body is attached to the at least one additional getter container, the at least one additional getter container containing an additional getter, wherein the at least one additional getter container is attached to at least one additional fill tube. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the additional getter contains different getter material from the getter. 
     
     
         13 . A method for evacuating gas from an atomic sensor, the method comprising:
 securing evaporable getter material within a getter container, the getter container having a first opening and a second opening;   attaching the first opening of the getter container to an opening in a sensor body such that the evaporable getter material faces away from the sensor body;   sealing the getter container to the sensor body;   evacuating the gas from inside of the sensor body through the second opening of the getter container;   vacuum sealing the interior of the sensor body; and   activating the evaporable getter material to coat an interior surface of the getter container.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein evacuating the gas from inside of the sensor body comprises:
 evacuating the gas through a fill tube attached to the second opening of the getter container; and   sealing the fill tube.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising introducing alkali metal through the fill tube. 
     
     
         16 . An atomic sensor device, the device comprising:
 a sensor body, the sensor body enclosing an atomic sensor;   a getter container coupled to an opening in the sensor body, the getter container comprising:
 a first opening in the getter container coupled to the opening in the sensor body; 
 a second opening located on the getter container, wherein gas within the sensor body can pass through the second opening; 
 a getter enclosed within the getter container, the getter coating surfaces of the getter container, such that gas within the sensor body can enter the getter container and contact the getter; and 
 a getter securer that secures the unflashed getter material within the getter container such that the getter material faces away from the first opening; and 
   a seal that seals the first opening to the opening in the sensor body.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a first fill tube connected to the second opening. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a second fill tube connected to a further opening in the sensor body. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first fill tube is configured to evacuate gas from within the sensor body. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first fill tube is configured to allow the introduction of reactive material into the sensor body.