Miniature Sapphire Acoustic Resonator (MSAR)

We present recent progress towards a Miniature Sapphire Acoustic Resonator (MSAR). Our goal is to develop an ultra-stable oscillator with a high Q room temperature sapphire resonator and low noise Quartz electronics with a stability better than 1 times 10^-14 @ 1s. Specific experimental plans are to demonstrate a high Q (> 1 times 10⁸) sapphire acoustic resonator at room temperature in bulk acoustic modes near 5 or 10 MHz. Initial acoustic resonator studies are being carried out with both sapphire (Al₂O₃) and calcium fluoride (CaF₂).