Frequency, phase and amplitude changes of the hydrogen maser oscillation

The frequency, phase, and amplitude changes of the hydrogen maser oscillation induced by the modulation of the cavity resonant frequency are considered. The results obtained apply specifically to the H-maser cavity autotuning method that is actually implemented, namely, the cavity frequency switching method. The frequency, phase, and amplitude changes are analyzed theoretically, and the phase and amplitude variations are measured. It is shown that the phase of oscillation is subjected to abrupt jumps at the times of cavity frequency switching, whose magnitude is specified. The results given can be used for the design of the electronic system associated with the hydrogen maser, with the aim of minimizing the transfer of phase modulation to the slave VCXO