Solid state chemical source for ammonia beam maser

摘要

1,077,052. Masers. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION, U.S.A. Jan. 20, 1965 [Jan. 24, 1964], No. 2573/65. Heading H1C. In an ammonia beam maser the source of ammonia comprises a solid ammonium salt of an acid or a complex of an ammoniated metal salt contained in a reservoir which is heated to produce the ammonia gas for the maser. Silver chloride-monoammoniate is prepared by passing ammonia gas into a glass lined 2 copper sphere 3 containing silver chloride. The apparatus is then attached to the maser beam chamber 18 by means of leak tight fitting 17 which mates with conduit 19. After attachment the apparatus is first evacuated by closing stopcock 13 and opening stopcock 15 and then heating elements 7 are energized to bring the reservoir to the required temperature to provide gaseous ammonia. On opening stop-cock 13 and closing stop-cock 15 ammonia at a predetermined flow set by capillary 14 is directed out of nozzle 20. Screen 5 prevents the solid ammonia source from escaping and the reservoir is thermostatically controlled.