Study of cryogenic techniques for operating hydrogen lasers

Cryogenic Techniques are applied to the Atomic Hydrogen Maser Frequency Standard to extend the storage time of the atoms and reduce the thermal noise accompanying the signal and within the resonance linewidth. One maser system is completed and installed in the cryostat. The wall coating gas handling system and the pulse and cavity measuring systems are now available for testing. A new cold dissociator has been built, tested and installed on the maser. In addition, two electronic control systems have been completed. Additional tests will be conducted. Stability at the 1x10 to the -16th power level in delta f/f for averaging time intervals of 1,000 seconds is expected at temperatures below 30 K.