CRL (Communications Research Laboratory) and NIST have jointly developed an optically pumped Cesium frequency standard CRL-O1. The frequencies of CRL-O1 and NIST-7 agreed within 1x10-15 [Hasegawa et al. 1998a,b], and the preliminary result shows that the uncertainty is 2x10-14. In order to develop an atomic fountain standard, CRL has started the research on laser cooling and succeeded to cool Cs atoms down to a few mK using the polarization gradient cooling, of which characteristics has been also investigated [Fukuda et al. 1997]. Launching of Cs atoms by moving molasses method is also succeeded. CRL has started the research on a spaceborne hydrogen maser and is now developing a sapphire loaded cavity.
CRL keeps UTC (CRL) and disseminates the time and frequency standard in Japan on routine base, as well as the GPS time transfer [Imae, 1996]. NAO(National Astronomical Observatory Mizusawa) and NRLM continue routine base GPS time transfers. They send weekly data to BIPM via e-mail to contribute to the Coordinated Universal Time(UTC). CRL is also developing a two-way satellite time transfer network, collaborating with other time and frequency standard institutes in the Asian and Oceanian region. Some other experiments on time and frequency transfer were also made by CRL, using VLBI or a broadcasting satellite [Kiuchi et al. 1997, Morikawa et al. 1997].
Using an originally developed millisecond pulsar observation system, CRL has continued weekly observations of PSR1937+21 since 1997, and also succeeded to detect two other weak but stable millisecond pulsars for the first time in Japan.
(Yasuhiro Nakadan and Takao Morikawa)
Based on above results, an attempt to establish an more accurate and working frequency standard has been also made. Using an sealed-off acetylene cell and an electro optical modulator (EOM), they have attained long term stability up to 2 x 10-12 with an integration time of 100 s [A. Onae et al., 1998].
A first international comparison of I2-stabilized Nd:YAG lasers has been made between National Research Laboratory of Metrology (NRLM, Japan) and Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA, USA). From the comparison, they have confirmed that the Allan variance of the portable NRLM laser has reached <3 x 10-13 when the integration time is larger than 100 s [Hong et al., 1998].
A compact iodine stabilized He-Ne laser at 633 nm has been developed. Through specially designed mechanical construction and short laser tube, they have realized a compact transportable laser with good mechanical and thermal stabilities [Ishikawa et al., 1996]. A hybrid laser system using a visible diode laser has been also developed for thepurpose of improving the performance of iodne stabilized He-Ne lasers [Kurosu et al., 1998].
A doubly resonant, cw monolithic optical parametric oscillator (OPO) for use as a light source for optical measurement has developed. KTiOPO4 is used as a nonlinear crystal and obtained output power is 6 mW for a pump power of 40 mW, with a pump threshold of 7mW. They also have demonstrated the feasibility of frequency control by phase locking the beat frequency between the signal and the idler [Ikegami, et al., 1998].
An optical frequency comb generator (OFCG) can be used to measure the difference frequency of two lasers. The OFCG is based on a Fabry-Perot electro-optic modulator. The accuracy of the frequency intervals between the sidebands is given by the accuracy of the microwave oscillator that drives the OFCG. They have increased the width of an optical frequency comb up to 30 THz by using self-phase modulation in an optical fiber. They also compare the resulting spectrum to numerical simulations [Imai, et al., 1998].
(Atsushi Onae )
Behavior of the JJA has been investigated in detail in the aspect of the microwave-strip-line design [Yoshida et al., 1997] and biasing the operating current on a desired voltage step [Ogita et al., 1997], [Ojha et al., 1998].
A second generation system of the QHE (Quantum Hall Effect) resistance standard has been developed. In the system, a CCC (Cryogenic Current Comparator) is used for the any resistance ratio measurement. The system is designed so that the size of the total system is reasonably small. The basic operation of the system was evaluated [Nakanishi et al., 1996]. The noise performance of the DC SQUID used in the CCC has been investigated [Nakanishi, 1997].
In order to reconstruct the primary capacitance standard at ETL, a series of systems composed of a resistance-capacitance chain from the QHR (Quantum Hall Resistance) to 0.1 pF has been developed since 1995. In the course of the development of the total system, new measurement techniques for the ratio calibration of a 10:1 ratio transformer and the 1 kHz operation of a quadrature bridge have been developed [Nakamura et al., 1997], [Nakamura et al., 1998].
In the course of studying the SET (Single Electron Tunneling), a filtering technique was developed [Fukushima et al., 1997].
In order to be responsible for a new requirement of calibration of the voltage ratio which is a measurement quantity in the strain-gauge transducer instrument used as the pressure gauge, a calibration method using inductive voltage dividers has been developed [ Bohacek J et al., 1998].
(Tadashi Endo )
As a new measure of antenna characteristics for field measurements, the complex antenna factor (CAF) was proposed. In this parameter, the phase is added to the conventional antenna factor in the EMI measurements. For measuring the CAF of a monopole antenna, the near-field corrected 3-antenna method was introduced in order to reduce the effects of the measurement site and background noises [Ishigami et al., 1996]. To evaluate the CAF of a dipole antenna, a field transfer factor was newly proposed that theoretically estimates the transmission coefficient at a distance satisfying the far-field condition from the measured transmission coefficients in the near-field.Its effectiveness was experimentally confirmed. The evaluated results were also compared with those given by the near-field corrected 3-antenna method [Fujii et al., 1997]. The CAF of a dipole antenna with a balun was evaluated by calibrating the S parameters of the balun and calculating the effective length of the antenna element. The result was compared with that of the 3-antenna method with the field transfer factor. The CAF values obtained by the two methods fairly agree [Hosoyama et al., 1998].
A linearly polarized conical log-periodic spiral (CLS) antenna for microwave EMC/EMI measurements was developed. The proposed antenna called the double-wire CLS has two additional elements to the conventional circular polarized CLS antenna. The calculated gain and antenna factor were presented [Wakabayashi et al., 1997].
The two-dimensional electromagnetic field distributions inside waveguide-type planar circuits were measured with a semi-rigid cable probe. The measurement results are in good agreement with the results of the numerical analysis based on the normal mode expansion method [Anada et al., 1997].
(Takashi Iwasaki)
The measurement principle of RF power is based on an isothermal control type micro-calorimeter. It measures the effective efficiency of the standard thermistor mount used as the RF load. Calibration of a power meter is performed by comparing it with the standard thermistor mount of which effective efficiency is known. The signal source is composed of a leveling loop with a broadband synthesizer, a power splitter and a monitor power meter. An automated measurement system was fabricated for both calorimetric measurement and comparison measurement. The combined standard uncertainty was found to be 0.0008 -0.0071 within the frequency region.
A new broadband microwave radiometer of the differential type has been designed for microwave noise measurement by adopting a correlation scheme with a quadrature hybrid coupler (QHC) and without devices that limit the radiometer bandwidth. And its usefulness experimentally evaluated over 6 to 12.4 GHz. [Nakano et al., 1998]
A Homodyne system based on single sideband modulation is studied for precision measurement of attenuation. The radio frequency attenuation is transformed to 1 kHz attenuation and is compared with 1 kHz signal from a standard inductive voltage divider. Radio frequency phase adjustment in the carrier and subcarrier channel is an important parameter in homodyne systems using balanced modulation and ordinary amplitude modulation. The homodyne system using single sideband modulation does not require the phase adjustment but measurement error depend on suppression of unwanted sideband [Kawakami, 1997].
A broadband attenuation calibration system based on parallel intermediate substitution technique has been studied in radio frequency region up to 40 GHz. The dynamic range of the system is 60 dB in single step for the fundamental mixer mode and 40 dB in single step for the third harmonic mixer mode.
(Hiroyoshi Yajima)
Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a promising technique for optical communication systems that will offer huge transmission capacity and wide bandwidth. In WDM systems, devices to add/drop target signals to/from multiplexed optical signals are very important. Arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG's) are indispensable in WDM systems. Ways to improve their characteristics should be presented in this period. Two reports discuss environmental wavelength stability [Ishii et al., 1998] and digitally tunable filter configuration [Ishida et al., 1997], both of which involve AWG usage. Crosstalk performance is reduced by using either cascaded AWG's [Kawai et al., 1997] or phase-error compensation [Yamada et al., 1998]. The combination of an AWG multiplexer and an array of optical space-division switches has been described. This configuration can provide a simple and compact multiplexer using only one AWG for any number of channels and wavelengths, and makes it possible to integrate the circuits on one chip [Suzuki et al., 1998]. The AWG can be used to simultaneously monitor multiple wavelengths as well [Teshima et al., 1998].
One of the key functions in WDM networks is wavelength conversion for signal routing. The most practical method is the configuration of an optical receiver and tunable DBR laser pairs [Teshima et al., 1998]. The multiplexed optical signals are first converted into electrical signals in the optical receivers. The electrical signals then modulate the CW light emitted from DBR lasers to recreate the original optical signal at a different wavelength. The other method of wavelength conversion is accomplished through the lasing-mode gain-suppression of lasers by injected signal light [Yasaka et al., 1997]. This method can convert the wavelength of 10 Gb/s signals over wavelength range from 1530 to 1560 nm. Another method is based on dual-wavelength-pumped Raman-resonant four-wave mixing [Uchida et al., 1998]. A cascaded fiber Raman converter can achieve conversion from 1.31 to 1.55 mm with 7% conversion efficiency at 5 Gb/s.
Fiber amplification in three wavelength bands has been presented in this period. The reports of 1520 nm band [Kani et al., 1998] and 1650 nm band [Masuda et al., 1988] amplification describe the use of fiber Raman amplifiers. Fiber amplifiers using Er3+-doped silica fibers have been presented. A 20 dB signal gain over the signal bandwidth from 1528 to 1611 and a low flat noise figure of better than 6.5 dB from 1539 to 1624 can be obtained [Mor et al., 1998]. A wide amplification bandwidth (70 nm) and a low noise figure (better than 5 dB) have been realized with a hybrid configuration of 980 nm forward-pumped and 1480 nm bidirectionally-pumped amplifiers and by adjusting the length of the Er3+-doped silica fibers [Yamada et al., 1998].
(Masami Kihara)
Bohacek J., Y. Nakamura, K. Yoshihiro and T. Endo [1998], "Calibration of precision measuring amplifiers for strain gauge transducers," CPEM98 Digest, pp. 120-121
Costanzo, G.A., S.Ohshima, K.Hagimoto, Y.Nakadan and Y.Koga [1997], "A New Laser System for the Cs Fountain Frequency Standard at NRLM", Proc.11th European Frequency and Time Forum, Neuchatel, March 4-6, pp.151-155
Fujii, K., S. Ishigami, and T. Iwasaki [1997], "Evaluation of complex antenna factor of dipole antenna by the near-field 3-antenna method with the method of moment," Electronics and Communications in Japan Part 1 (published by Scripta Technica, Inc.), vol.80, 11, pp.34-44
Fukuda, K., Atsushi Hasegawa, Takao Morikawa, and Masatoshi Kajita [1997], "Influence of the neighboring transition on polarization gradient cooling", Proc. of 11th European Frequency and Time Forum, pp.581-585
Fukushima A., A. Sato, A. Iwasa, Y. Nakamura, T. Komatsuzaki and Y. Sakamoto [1997] "Attenuation of microwave filters for SET experiments," IEEE Trans. Instum. & Meas., vol. 46, 2, pp. 289-293
Hagimoto, K., S. Ohshima, Y. Nakadan, and Y. Koga, "Accuracy evaluation of the optically pumped Cs frequency standard at NRLM", Conference Digest of 1998 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, pp. 14-15
Hasegawa, A., Kyoya Fukuda, Masatoshi Kajita, and Takao Morikawa [1997], "Cs atom trap outside of repump beam", Proc. of 11th European Frequency and Time Forum, pp.586-590
Hasegawa, A., Kyoya Fukuda, Noboru Kotake, Masatoshi Kajita, and Takao Morikawa, W.D.Lee, Craig, C.Nelson, D.A.Jennings, L.O.Mullen, J.H.Shirley, R.Drullinger [1998a], "An improved, optically pumped, primary frequency standard: Joint development by CRL and NIST", Proc. of 1998 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium, pp.61-63
Hasegawa, A., Kyoya Fukuda, Noboru Kotake, Masatoshi Kajita, and Takao Morikawa, W.D. Lee, C.Nelson, D.A.Jennings, L.O.Mullen, J.H.Shirley, R.Drullinger [1998b], "An improved optically-pumped, primary frequency standard", Proc. of 1998 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, pp. 177-178
Hong, F-L., J. Ishikawa, J. Ye, L-S. Ma and J. L. Hall [1998], "Frequency comparison of 127I2-stabilized Nd:YAG lasers," proceedings TUPA1-3 CPEM'98 (Washington).
Hosoyama, H., T. Iwasaki, and S. Ishigami [1998], "Evaluation of the complex antenna factor of a dipole antenna by measuring the S parameters of the balun," Electrical Engineering in Japan (published by Scripta Technica, Inc.), vol.123, 2, pp.16-23
Ikegami, T., S. Slyusarev, T. Kurosu, Y. Fukuyama, S. Ohshima [1998],"Characteristics of cw monolithic KTiOPO4 optical parametric oscillator", Appl. Phys. B66, pp.719-725
Imae, M., M. Hosokawa, Y. Hanado, K. Imamura, A. Ohtsuka, and T. morikawa [1996], "Time and frequency keeping and its distribution system at CRL", Proc. of 28th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Applications and Planning Meeting, pp.51-64
Imai, K., M. Kourogi, and M. Ohtsu, [1998], "30-THz span optical frequency comb generation by self-phase modulation in an optical fiber", IEEE J. Quantum Electron., 34(1), pp.54-60
Inoue, T., Yamamura, K., and Sato, K. [1998] ,"Broadband Coaxial Calorimeter for Calibration of RF Power Meter," IEE of Japan, Vol. 118-C, No. 12, pp. 1798-1804
Ishida, O., H. Takahashi and Y. Inoue [1997], "Digitally tunable optical filters using arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexers and optical switches," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 15, pp.321-327
Ishigami, S., H. Iida, and T. Iwasaki [1996], "Measurement of complex antenna factor by the near-field 3-antenna method," IEEE Trans. on Electromagnetic Compatibility, vol.38, 3, pp. 424-432
Ishii, M., Y. Hibino, F. Hanawa, H. Nakagome and K. Kato [1998],"Packaging and environmental stability of thermally controlled arrayed-waveguide grating multiplexer module with thermoelectric device," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 16, pp.258-264
Ishikawa, J., Y-C. Lee and O. Takano [1996], "A compact iodine stabilized He-Ne laser for inter comparisons," Proceedings MOP6-4 CPEM'96 (Braunshweig, Germany).
Izumita, H., Y. Koyamada, S. Furukawa and I. Sankawa [1997], "Stochastic amplitude fluctuation in coherent OTDR and a new technique for its reduction by stimulating synchronous optical frequency hopping," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 15, pp.267-278
Kajita M., Kyoya Fukuda, and Takao Morikawa [1998b], "Polarization gradient cooling effect in the outer potential field", Proc. of 12th European Frequency and Time Forum, pp. 487-492
Kajita, M. [1997a], "Collisional frequency shift with a primary frequency standard", Zeitshrift fuer Physik D vol.41, No.1, pp.3-8
Kajita, M., Kyoya Fukuda, and Takao Morikawa [1998a], "Polarization gradient cooling effect in the outer potential field", Applied Physics B vol.67 No.5, pp.615-619
Kajita, M., Noboru Kotake, Kyoya Fukuda, Atsushi Hasegawa, and Takao Morikawa [1997b], "Influence of the neighboring transition on polarization gradient cooling", Applied Physics B vol.65, pp.563-568
Kani, J., M. Jinno and K. Oguchi [1998], "Fibre Raman amplifier for 1520 nm band WDM transmission," Electron Lett., vol. 34, pp.1745-1757
Kawai, T. and H. Obara [1997], "Crosstalk reduction in NxN WDM multi/demultiplexers by cascading small arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG's)," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol.15, pp.1929-1937
Kawakami, T., [1997] "Microwave attenuation measurement by SSB modulation and homodyne," Conferences of IEICE, C-2-73.
Kim K. T., K. S. Han, Y. Sakamoto and T. Sakuraba [1997], "Comparison of Zener voltage standard calibrations at 10 V between the KRISS and the ETL," IEEE Trans. Instrum. & Meas., vol. 46. 2, pp. 314-317
Koga, Y., McNeilage and S. Ohshima [1998], "A microwave exciter system based on a sapphire loaded cavity oscillator", Conference Digest of 1998 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, p. 62.
Kurosu, T. and J. Ishikawa [1998], "Hybrid laser system at 633 nm for length/optical frequency standard," Proc. TUPB4-2, CPEM'98 (Washington).
Masuda, H., S. Kawai, K. Suzuki and K. Aida [1988], "1.65mm band fibre Raman amplifier pumped by wavelength-tunable amplified spontaneous emission light source," Electron Lett., vol. 34, pp.2339-2340
Mori, A., K. Kobayashi, M. Yamada, T. Kanamori, K. Oikawa, Y. Nishida and Y. Ohishi [1998], "Low noise broadband tellurite-based Er3+-doped fibre amplifiers," Electron Lett., vol. 34, pp.887-888
Murayama, Y., T. Sakuraba, Y. Sakamoto, A. Iwasa, H. Yoshida, T. Kozakai and T. Endo [1997], "Ten-Volt Josephson voltage standard an the ETL," IEEE Trans. Instrum. & Meas., vol. 46, 2, pp. 233-236
Nakadan, Y., K. Hagimoto, C. H. Oh, T. Ikegami, Y. Koga, and S. Ohshima [1996], "Reconstruction of optically pumped Cs frequency standard at NRLM", Conference Digest of 1996 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, pp. 273-274
Nakagawa, K., M. de Labachelerie, Y. Awaji and M. Kourogi [1996], "Accurate optical frequency atlas of 1.5mm band of acetylene," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B vol. 13, pp. 2708-2714
Nakamura Y., A. Fukushima and Y. Sakamoto [1997], "Calibration of a 10:1 ration transformer using Thompson-method," Metrologia, vol. 34, 4, pp. 353-355
Nakamura Y., A. Fukushima, Y. Sakamoto, T. Endo and G. W. Small [1998], "A multi-frequency quadrature bridge," CPEM98 Digest, pp. 42-43
Nakanishi M., J. Kinoshita and T. Sakuraba [1996], "Evaluation of a quantum Hall effect system of small size for use as resistance standard," Jap. J. Appl. Phys., vol. 35, 9A, pp. 4862-4863
Nakanishi M. [1997], "Experimental method for evaluating circulating current noise and intrinsic voltage noise of a dc superconducting quantum interference device," Jap. J. Appl. Phys., vol. 36, 4A, pp. 2428-2429
Nakano, H. and Kato, Y. [1998], "A broadband microwave radiometer using correlation technique," CPEM '98 Conference Digest, pp. 596-597
Ogita E., H. Sakuma, Y. Murayama and Y. Sakamoto [1997], "Step number determination with two sets of frequency and step number in Josephson-junction array voltage standard," IEEE Trans. Instrum. & Meas., vol. 46, 2, pp. 253-255
Ojha V. H., Y. Sakamoto, Y. Murayama and T. Sakuraba [1998], "A maximum step voltage test of 1 V Josephson junction arrays," CPEM98 (Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, 6 to 10 July 1998, Washington DC) Digest, pp. 443-444
Onae, A., K. Okumura, J. Yoda, K. Nakagawa, A. Yamaguchi, M. Kourogi and K. Imai [1998], "Towards an accurate frequency standard at 1.5mm based on the acetylene overtone band transition," Proceedings WEPB2-4 CPEM'98 (Washington).
Sugiura, A., N. Kuwabara, and T. Iwasaki [1997], "Current topics of microwave EMI antennas and measurements," IEICE Trans. on Communications, vol. E80-B, 5, pp.653-662
Suzuki, S., A. Himeno and M. Ishii [1998], "Integrated multichannel optical wavelength selective switches incorporating an arrayed-waveguide grating multiplexer and thermooptic switches," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 16, pp.650-655
Teshima, M., T. Kawai, N. Sakaida, H. Yasaka, H. Ishii and M. Koga [1998], "Virtual wavelength path cross-connect based on optoelectronic wavelength conversion," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 16, pp.1537-1545
Uchida, A., M. Takeoka, T. Nakata and F. Kannari [1998], "Wide-range all-optical wavelength conversion using dual-wavelength-pumped fiber raman converter," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 16, pp.92-99
Wakabayashi, R., K. Shimada, H. Kawakami, and G. Sato, "Linearly polarized conical log-periodic spiral antenna for microwave EMC/EMI measurement," IEICE Trans. on Communications, vol.E80-B, 5, pp.692-698
Yamada, H., K. Takada and S. Mitachi [1998], "Crosstalk reductiion in a 10-GHz spacing arrayed-waveguide grating by phase-error compensation," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 16, pp.364-371
Yamada, M., H. Ono and Y. Ohishi [1998], "Low-noise, broadband Er3+-doped silica fibre amplifiers," Electron Lett., vol. 34, pp.1490-1491
Yasaka, H., H. Sanjoh, H. Ishii, Y. Yoshikuni and K. Oe [1997], "Finely tunable wavelength conversion of high bit-rate signals by using a superstructure-grating distributed Bragg reflector laser," IEEE J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 15, pp.334-341
Yoshida H., Y. Murayama and T. Endo [1997], "A new 10-V array of Josephson junctions based on low-frequency designs scaled up to 94 GHz," IEEE Trans. Instrum. & Meas., vol. 46, 1, pp. 72-78