Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2303.11665

Observation of the $4f^{14}6s^{2}~^1S_0- 4f^{13}5d6s^{2}(J=2)$ clock transition at 431 nm in $^{171}$Yb

Akio Kawasaki, Takumi Kobayashi, Akiko Nishiyama, Takehiko Tanabe, Masami Yasuda

Published Mar 21, 2023• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report on the observation of the $4f^{14}6s^{2}~^1S_0- 4f^{13}5d6s^{2}(J=2)$ transition at 431 nm in $^{171}$Yb by depleting atoms in a magneto-optical trap formed by the $6s^{2}~^1S_0-6s6p~^3P_1$ intercombination transition. The absolute frequency of the transition to the $F=3/2$ state is determined to be $695~171~054~858.1(8.2)$~kHz against physical realization of Coordinated Universal Time maintained by the National Metrology Institute of Japan with a frequency comb. The $g$ factor of the transition to the $F=3/2$ state and the A hyperfine constant are measured to be $g_J=1.54(13)$ and 1123.354(13)~MHz, respectively. More precise spectroscopy of this transition can lead to searches for time variation of the fine structure constant and searches for new physics with isotope shift measurements.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2303.11665

Related papers

Measurement of the 2 S 1 / 2 − 2 D 5 / 2 clock transition in a single 171 Yb + ion

M. Roberts, P. Taylor, S. Gateva +3 more

Spectroscopy of the 411-nm transition in ${}^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ has been performed and the feasibility of its use as an optical frequency standard has been demonstrated. The ${}^{2}{S}_{1/2}(F=0, {m}_{F}=0){--}^{2}{D}_{5/2}(F=2, {m}_{F}=0)$ frequency, at zero-magnetic field, has been measured to be 729 487 779 566(153) kHz. This transition is free from the first-order Zeeman shift and has a measured second-order shift of +0.38(8) Hz/(\ensuremath{\mu}${\mathrm{T})}^{2}$. In addition, the hyperfine structure of the ${}^{2}{D}_{5/2}$ level has been deduced by driving the other hyperfine components of the 411-nm transition, showing it to be inverted. The ${}^{2}{D}_{5/2}$ hyperfine splitting, measured to be -191(2) MHz, implies an A factor of -63.6(7) MHz. These data taken in conjunction with previous work yield an isotope shift of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{171}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{172}=+1317.1(1.3)\mathrm{MHz}$ for this transition between the 171 and 172 isotopes.

Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1999•59 citations

Observation and Absolute Frequency Measurements of the S01-P03 Optical Clock Transition in Neutral Ytterbium

Chad Hoyt, Zeb W. Barber, Chris W. Oates +3 more

We report the direct excitation of the highly forbidden (6s2) 1S0 <--> (6s6p) 3P0 optical transition in two odd isotopes of neutral ytterbium. As the excitation laser frequency is scanned, absorption is detected by monitoring the depletion from an atomic cloud at approximately 70 microK in a magneto-optical trap. The measured frequency in 171Yb (F=1/2) is 518,295,836,591.6 +/- 4.4 kHz. The measured frequency in 173Yb (F=5/2) is 518,294,576,847.6 +/- 4.4 kHz. Measurements are made with a femtosecond-laser frequency comb calibrated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology cesium fountain clock and represent nearly a 10(6)-fold reduction in uncertainty. The natural linewidth of these J=0 to J=0 transitions is calculated to be approximately 10 mHz, making them well suited to support a new generation of optical atomic clocks based on confinement in an optical lattice.

arXiv:physics/0503240•Physical Review Letters•Aug 19, 2005•122 citations

Magneto-optical trapping of Yb atoms using an intercombination transition

T. Kuwamoto, Keita HONDA, Yoshiro Takahashi +1 more

We report the magneto-optical trapping of ytterbium atoms using the ${6s}^{2}{}^{1}{S}_{0}\ensuremath{-}6s6p{}^{3}{P}_{1}$ intercombination transition. The magneto-optical trap is continuously loaded from an atomic beam decelerated by a Zeeman-tuned atomic-beam slower operated at the ${6s}^{2}{}^{1}{S}_{0}\ensuremath{-}6s6p{}^{1}{P}_{1}$ transition. Among seven stable isotopes of ytterbium, six isotopes $\mathrm{of}{ }^{170}\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{b},$ ${}^{171}\mathrm{Yb},$ ${}^{172}\mathrm{Yb},$ ${}^{173}\mathrm{Yb},$ ${}^{174}\mathrm{Yb},$ and ${}^{176}\mathrm{Yb}$ are successfully trapped. The number and density of the trapped atoms are about ${10}^{8}$ and ${10}^{11} {\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3},$ respectively. The temperature of atoms is estimated to be about $20 \ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ from the time-of-flight measurement. The decay time of the trapped atoms after stopping the loading of atoms is about 3 s.

Physical Review A•Aug 1, 1999•166 citations

Absolute frequency measurements of the /sup 1/S/sub 0/-/sup 3/P/sub 0/ optical clock transition at 578 nm in neutral Yb

Chris W. Oates, Chad Hoyt, Zeb W. Barber +3 more

This work has focused on two atoms, Sr and Yb, due in part to the relatively high abundance of their odd isotopes, the use of which is necessary for appreciable direct excitation probability. The Sr clock transition has been measured (with an uncertainty of 20 kHz) using atoms in a magneto-optic trap (MOT), and has been excited with atoms confined in a one dimensional lattice. Here we report direct excitation of the Yb clock transition (at 578 nm) with atoms in a second-stage MOT, and the first fs-laser comb-based absolute measurements of the clock frequency for two different isotopes. These measurements lead to a nearly millionfold improvement in our knowledge of the transition frequencies, an important step toward Doppler-free spectroscopy of Yb atoms in a lattice.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2005•0 citations

Investigation of the 4f146s2 1S0−4f135d6s2 (J = 2) clock transition at 431 nm of 171Yb atoms trapped in an optical lattice

Congyu Wang, Yuan Yao, Haosen Shi +3 more

With the aid of an optical frequency divider based on an optical frequency comb, the frequency of a laser at 431 nm is divided from a cavity-stabilized laser at 578 nm. Using the frequency-stabilized 431 nm laser, we observe a 2.5 kHz linewidth 4f146s2 1S0−4f135d6s2 (J = 2) transition of 171Yb atoms trapped in an optical lattice. By measuring the lattice-induced frequency shift, we determine the magic wavelength of the optical lattice for the 431 nm transition to be 797.97(20) nm. The frequency of the 431 nm transition is measured to be 695 171 054 856.9(1.1) kHz by referencing to the 1S0−3P0 transition at 578 nm of Yb atoms.

Applied Physics Letters•Jan 20, 2025•3 citations

Absolute frequency measurements of the /sup 1/S/sub 0/-/sup 3/P/sub 0/ optical clock transition at 578 nm in neutral Yb

Chris W. Oates, Chad Hoyt, Zeb W. Barber +3 more

This work has focused on two atoms, Sr and Yb, due in part to the relatively high abundance of their odd isotopes, the use of which is necessary for appreciable direct excitation probability. The Sr clock transition has been measured (with an uncertainty of 20 kHz) using atoms in a magneto-optic trap (MOT), and has been excited with atoms confined in a one dimensional lattice. Here we report direct excitation of the Yb clock transition (at 578 nm) with atoms in a second-stage MOT, and the first fs-laser comb-based absolute measurements of the clock frequency for two different isotopes. These measurements lead to a nearly millionfold improvement in our knowledge of the transition frequencies, an important step toward Doppler-free spectroscopy of Yb atoms in a lattice.

IEEE/LEOS Summer Topical Meetings•Nov 8, 2005•0 citations
Observation of the 4f146s2 1S0−4f135d6s2(J=2)4f^{14}6s^{2}~^1S_0- 4f^{13}5d6s^{2}(J=2)4f146s2 1S0​−4f135d6s2(J=2) clock transition at 431 nm in 171^{171}171Yb
We report on the observation of the 4f146s2 1S0−4f135d6s2(J=2)4f^{14}6s^{2}~^1S_0- 4f^{13}5d6s^{2}(J=2)4f146s2 1S0​−4f135d6s2(J=2) transition at 431 nm in 171^{171}171Yb by depleting atoms in a magneto-optical trap formed by the 6s2 1S0−6s6p 3P16s^{2}~^1S_0-6s6p~^3P_16s2 1S0​−6s6p 3P1​ intercombination transition. The absolute frequency of the transition to the F=3/2F=3/2F=3/2 state is determined to be 695 171 054 858.1(8.2)695~171~054~858.1(8.2)695 171 054 858.1(8.2)~kHz against physical realization of Coordinated Universal Time maintained by the National Metrology Institute of Japan with a frequency comb. The ggg factor of the transition to the F=3/2F=3/2F=3/2 state and the A hyperfine constant are measured to be gJ=1.54(13)g_J=1.54(13)gJ​=1.54(13) and 1123.354(13)~MHz, respectively. More precise spectroscopy of this transition can lead to searches for time variation of the fine structure constant and searches for new physics with isotope shift measurements.
Spectroscopy of the 411-nm transition in 171Yb+{}^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}171Yb+ has been performed and the feasibility of its use as an optical frequency standard has been demonstrated. The 2S1/2(F=0,mF=0)−−2D5/2(F=2,mF=0){}^{2}{S}_{1/2}(F=0, {m}_{F}=0){--}^{2}{D}_{5/2}(F=2, {m}_{F}=0)2S1/2​(F=0,mF​=0)−−2D5/2​(F=2,mF​=0) frequency, at zero-magnetic field, has been measured to be 729 487 779 566(153) kHz. This transition is free from the first-order Zeeman shift and has a measured second-order shift of +0.38(8) Hz/(\ensuremath{\mu}T)2{\mathrm{T})}^{2}T)2. In addition, the hyperfine structure of the 2D5/2{}^{2}{D}_{5/2}2D5/2​ level has been deduced by driving the other hyperfine components of the 411-nm transition, showing it to be inverted. The 2D5/2{}^{2}{D}_{5/2}2D5/2​ hyperfine splitting, measured to be -191(2) MHz, implies an A factor of -63.6(7) MHz. These data taken in conjunction with previous work yield an isotope shift of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{171}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{172}=+1317.1(1.3)\mathrm{MHz}$ for this transition between the 171 and 172 isotopes.
We report the direct excitation of the highly forbidden (6s2) 1S0 <--> (6s6p) 3P0 optical transition in two odd isotopes of neutral ytterbium. As the excitation laser frequency is scanned, absorption is detected by monitoring the depletion from an atomic cloud at approximately 70 microK in a magneto-optical trap. The measured frequency in 171Yb (F=1/2) is 518,295,836,591.6 +/- 4.4 kHz. The measured frequency in 173Yb (F=5/2) is 518,294,576,847.6 +/- 4.4 kHz. Measurements are made with a femtosecond-laser frequency comb calibrated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology cesium fountain clock and represent nearly a 10(6)-fold reduction in uncertainty. The natural linewidth of these J=0 to J=0 transitions is calculated to be approximately 10 mHz, making them well suited to support a new generation of optical atomic clocks based on confinement in an optical lattice.
We report the magneto-optical trapping of ytterbium atoms using the ${6s}^{2}{}^{1}{S}_{0}\ensuremath{-}6s6p{}^{3}{P}_{1}$ intercombination transition. The magneto-optical trap is continuously loaded from an atomic beam decelerated by a Zeeman-tuned atomic-beam slower operated at the ${6s}^{2}{}^{1}{S}_{0}\ensuremath{-}6s6p{}^{1}{P}_{1}$ transition. Among seven stable isotopes of ytterbium, six isotopes of170Yb,\mathrm{of}{ }^{170}\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{b},of170Yb, 171Yb,{}^{171}\mathrm{Yb},171Yb, 172Yb,{}^{172}\mathrm{Yb},172Yb, 173Yb,{}^{173}\mathrm{Yb},173Yb, 174Yb,{}^{174}\mathrm{Yb},174Yb, and 176Yb{}^{176}\mathrm{Yb}176Yb are successfully trapped. The number and density of the trapped atoms are about 108{10}^{8}108 and ${10}^{11} {\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3},$ respectively. The temperature of atoms is estimated to be about $20 \ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ from the time-of-flight measurement. The decay time of the trapped atoms after stopping the loading of atoms is about 3 s.
This work has focused on two atoms, Sr and Yb, due in part to the relatively high abundance of their odd isotopes, the use of which is necessary for appreciable direct excitation probability. The Sr clock transition has been measured (with an uncertainty of 20 kHz) using atoms in a magneto-optic trap (MOT), and has been excited with atoms confined in a one dimensional lattice. Here we report direct excitation of the Yb clock transition (at 578 nm) with atoms in a second-stage MOT, and the first fs-laser comb-based absolute measurements of the clock frequency for two different isotopes. These measurements lead to a nearly millionfold improvement in our knowledge of the transition frequencies, an important step toward Doppler-free spectroscopy of Yb atoms in a lattice.
With the aid of an optical frequency divider based on an optical frequency comb, the frequency of a laser at 431 nm is divided from a cavity-stabilized laser at 578 nm. Using the frequency-stabilized 431 nm laser, we observe a 2.5 kHz linewidth 4f146s2 1S0−4f135d6s2 (J = 2) transition of 171Yb atoms trapped in an optical lattice. By measuring the lattice-induced frequency shift, we determine the magic wavelength of the optical lattice for the 431 nm transition to be 797.97(20) nm. The frequency of the 431 nm transition is measured to be 695 171 054 856.9(1.1) kHz by referencing to the 1S0−3P0 transition at 578 nm of Yb atoms.
This work has focused on two atoms, Sr and Yb, due in part to the relatively high abundance of their odd isotopes, the use of which is necessary for appreciable direct excitation probability. The Sr clock transition has been measured (with an uncertainty of 20 kHz) using atoms in a magneto-optic trap (MOT), and has been excited with atoms confined in a one dimensional lattice. Here we report direct excitation of the Yb clock transition (at 578 nm) with atoms in a second-stage MOT, and the first fs-laser comb-based absolute measurements of the clock frequency for two different isotopes. These measurements lead to a nearly millionfold improvement in our knowledge of the transition frequencies, an important step toward Doppler-free spectroscopy of Yb atoms in a lattice.