arXiv:2512.05872 · Physical Review Letters

Nuclear Spin Quenching of the S 2 1 / 2 → F 2 7 / 2 Electric Octupole Transition in Yb + 173

Jialiang Yu, Anand Prakash, Clara Zyskind, Ikbal Ahamed Biswas, Rattakorn Kaewuam, Piyaphat Phoonthong, Tanja E. Mehlstäubler

Published Dec 15, 2025• 1 citation

arXiv HTML PDF

Abstract

We report the coherent excitation of the highly forbidden ^{2}S_{1/2}→^{2}F_{7/2} clock transition in the odd isotope ^{173}Yb^{+} with nuclear spin I=5/2, and reveal the hyperfine-state-dependent, nuclear-spin-induced quenching of this transition. The inferred lifetime of the F_{e}=4 hyperfine state is one order of magnitude shorter than the unperturbed ^{2}F_{7/2} clock state of ^{171}Yb^{+}. This reduced lifetime lowers the required optical power for coherent excitation of the clock transition, thereby reducing the ac Stark shift caused by the clock laser. Using a three-ion Coulomb crystal, we experimentally demonstrate an approximately twentyfold suppression of the ac Stark shift, a critical improvement for the scalability of future multi-ion Yb^{+} clocks. Furthermore, we report the |^{2}S_{1/2},F_{g}=3⟩→|^{2}F_{7/2},F_{e}=6⟩ unquenched reference transition frequency as 642.11917656354(43) THz, along with the measured hyperfine splitting and calculated quadratic Zeeman sensitivities of the ^{2}F_{7/2} clock state. Our results pave the way toward multi-ion optical clocks and quantum computers based on ^{173}Yb^{+}.

DOI: 10.1103/fx1b-5666

Related papers

High-Accuracy Optical Clock Based on the Octupole Transition in Yb+171

Nils Huntemann, Maksim V. Okhapkin, B. Lipphardt +3 more

arXiv:1111.2446Physical Review LettersFeb 29, 2012241 citations

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of $^{173}$Yb$^{+}$ Ions

J. Jiang, A. V. Viatkina, Saaswath JK +7 more

physics.atom-phCross-listedarXiv:2601.09585Physical Review LettersJan 15, 20261 citation

Coherent Excitation of the Highly Forbidden Electric Octupole Transition in Yb+172

Henning A. Fürst, Chih-Han Yeh, Dimitri Kalincev +7 more

arXiv:2006.14356Physical Review LettersOct 16, 202024 citations

Studies of the 'SO-~PO Transition in Atomic Yb for Optical Clocks and Qubit Arrays

Tao Hong, Claire E. Cramer, Eryn C. Cook +2 more

Jan 1, 20051 citation

Coherent Suppression of Tensor Frequency Shifts through Magnetic Field Rotation

R. Lange, Nils Huntemann, Christian Sanner +4 more

arXiv:2005.14687Physical Review LettersSep 28, 202019 citations

Lifetime of the F 7 / 2 2 Level in Yb + for Spontaneous Emission of Electric Octupole Radiation

R. Lange, A. A. Peshkov, N. Huntemann +3 more

Physical Review LettersNov 16, 202139 citations

arXiv:2512.05872 · Physical Review Letters

Nuclear Spin Quenching of the S 2 1 / 2 → F 2 7 / 2 Electric Octupole Transition in Yb + 173

Jialiang Yu, Anand Prakash, Clara Zyskind, Ikbal Ahamed Biswas, Rattakorn Kaewuam, Piyaphat Phoonthong, Tanja E. Mehlstäubler

Published Dec 15, 2025• 1 citation

arXiv HTML PDF

Abstract

DOI: 10.1103/fx1b-5666

Related papers

High-Accuracy Optical Clock Based on the Octupole Transition in Yb+171

Nils Huntemann, Maksim V. Okhapkin, B. Lipphardt +3 more

We experimentally investigate an optical frequency standard based on the 467 nm (642 THz) electric-octupole reference transition (2)S(1/2)(F=0)→(2)F(7/2)(F=3) in a single trapped (171)Yb(+) ion. The extraordinary features of this transition result from the long natural lifetime and from the 4f(13)6s(2) configuration of the upper state. The electric-quadrupole moment of the (2)F(7/2) state is measured as -0.041(5)ea(0)(2), where e is the elementary charge and a(0) the Bohr radius. We also obtain information on the differential scalar and tensorial components of the static polarizability and of the probe-light-induced ac Stark shift of the octupole transition. With a real-time extrapolation scheme that eliminates this shift, the unperturbed transition frequency is realized with a fractional uncertainty of 7.1×10(-17). The frequency is measured as 642 121 496 772 645.15(52) Hz.We experimentally investigate an optical frequency standard based on the 467 nm (642 THz) electric-octupole reference transition (2)S(1/2)(F=0)→(2)F(7/2)(F=3) in a single trapped (171)Yb(+) ion. The extraordinary features of this transition result from the long natural lifetime and from the 4f(13)6s(2) configuration of the upper state. The electric-quadrupole moment of the (2)F(7/2) state is measured as -0.041(5)ea(0)(2), where e is the elementary charge and a(0) the Bohr radius. We also obtain information on the differential scalar and tensorial components of the static polarizability and of the probe-light-induced ac Stark shift of the octupole transition. With a real-time extrapolation scheme that eliminates this shift, the unperturbed transition frequency is realized with a fractional uncertainty of 7.1×10(-17). The frequency is measured as 642 121 496 772 645.15(52) Hz.

arXiv:1111.2446Physical Review LettersFeb 29, 2012241 citations

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of $^{173}$ Yb $^{+}$ IonsHigh-Resolution Spectroscopy of $^{173}$Yb$^{+}$ Ions

J. Jiang, A. V. Viatkina, Saaswath JK +7 more

Compared to other stable isotopes of $\rm{Yb}^+$ , $^{173}\rm{Yb}^+$ has a richer hyperfine structure, which leads to more favorable clock transitions, spectroscopic techniques for probing new physics, and more sophisticated quantum computing architectures. However, to date, its electronic spectrum remains poorly characterized. Here, we report on efficient laser cooling, state preparation, and detection of a single trapped $^{173}\rm{Yb}^+$ ion. The previously unobserved $^2\!S_{1/2} \rightarrow {}^2\!D_{3/2}$ electric quadrupole transition at 436 nm is coherently excited, and the isotope shift between $^{171}\rm{Yb}^+$ and $^{173}\rm{Yb}^+$ on this transition is determined with an uncertainty of 1.4 Hz. Using microwave spectroscopy, we resolve the hyperfine structure (HFS) of the ${}^2\!D_{3/2}$ state with a relative uncertainty below $10^{-8}$ . From the HFS measurement data, we infer for ${}^{173}$ Yb a nuclear magnetic octupole moment $Ω= -0.062(8)\,({\rm b} \times μ_N)$ with uncertainty reduced by more than 2 orders of magnitude compared to previous studies. The data also allow us to determine hyperfine anomalies for the ${}^2\!S_{1/2}$ and ${}^2\!D_{3/2}$ states.Compared to other stable isotopes of $\rm{Yb}^+$, $^{173}\rm{Yb}^+$ has a richer hyperfine structure, which leads to more favorable clock transitions, spectroscopic techniques for probing new physics, and more sophisticated quantum computing architectures. However, to date, its electronic spectrum remains poorly characterized. Here, we report on efficient laser cooling, state preparation, and detection of a single trapped $^{173}\rm{Yb}^+$ ion. The previously unobserved $^2\!S_{1/2} \rightarrow {}^2\!D_{3/2}$ electric quadrupole transition at 436 nm is coherently excited, and the isotope shift between $^{171}\rm{Yb}^+$ and $^{173}\rm{Yb}^+$ on this transition is determined with an uncertainty of 1.4 Hz. Using microwave spectroscopy, we resolve the hyperfine structure (HFS) of the ${}^2\!D_{3/2}$ state with a relative uncertainty below $10^{-8}$. From the HFS measurement data, we infer for ${}^{173}$Yb a nuclear magnetic octupole moment $Ω= -0.062(8)\,({\rm b} \times μ_N)$ with uncertainty reduced by more than 2 orders of magnitude compared to previous studies. The data also allow us to determine hyperfine anomalies for the ${}^2\!S_{1/2}$ and ${}^2\!D_{3/2}$ states.

physics.atom-phCross-listedarXiv:2601.09585Physical Review LettersJan 15, 20261 citation

Coherent Excitation of the Highly Forbidden Electric Octupole Transition in Yb+172

Henning A. Fürst, Chih-Han Yeh, Dimitri Kalincev +7 more

We report on the first coherent excitation of the highly forbidden ${^{2}S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{^{2}F}_{7/2}$ electric octupole (E3) transition in a single trapped $^{172}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ ion, an isotope without nuclear spin. Using the transition in $^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ as a reference, we determine the transition frequency to be 642 116 784 950 887.6(2.4) Hz. We map out the magnetic field environment using the forbidden ${^{2}S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{^{2}D}_{5/2}$ electric quadrupole (E2) transition and determine its frequency to be 729 476 867 027 206.8(4.4) Hz. Our results are a factor of $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$ ($3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$) more accurate for the E2 (E3) transition compared to previous measurements. The results open up the way to search for new physics via precise isotope shift measurements and improved tests of local Lorentz invariance using the metastable ${^{2}F}_{7/2}$ state of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ .We report on the first coherent excitation of the highly forbidden ${^{2}S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{^{2}F}_{7/2}$ electric octupole (E3) transition in a single trapped $^{172}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ ion, an isotope without nuclear spin. Using the transition in $^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ as a reference, we determine the transition frequency to be 642 116 784 950 887.6(2.4) Hz. We map out the magnetic field environment using the forbidden ${^{2}S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{^{2}D}_{5/2}$ electric quadrupole (E2) transition and determine its frequency to be 729 476 867 027 206.8(4.4) Hz. Our results are a factor of $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$ ($3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$) more accurate for the E2 (E3) transition compared to previous measurements. The results open up the way to search for new physics via precise isotope shift measurements and improved tests of local Lorentz invariance using the metastable ${^{2}F}_{7/2}$ state of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$.

arXiv:2006.14356Physical Review LettersOct 16, 202024 citations

Studies of the 'SO-~PO Transition in Atomic Yb for Optical Clocks and Qubit Arrays

Tao Hong, Claire E. Cramer, Eryn C. Cook +2 more

We report an experimental observation of the weak 'SO-~PO transition in 171,173Ybl and new approaches for qubits and optical clocks with this single-photon resonance and a three-photon resonance in an even isotope, respectively. Introduction - Optical clocks show great promise as the next generation of precision frequency standards due to the high frequency and correspondingly high line-Q of weakly allowed atomic transitions. Thanks to femtosecond comb technology (l), clocks based on optical transitions in both single trapped ions and neutral atom clouds are poised to exceed the already stringent bounds on precision set by microwave frequency standards. A recent proposal combining the Lamb-Dicke confinement of single ion frequency standards with the high signal-tenoise of neutral atom cLouds, and exploiting a highly forbidden transition insensitive to external magnetic fields and trap light polarization has the potential to do even better (2). The scheme makes use of the 'SO-~P~ electric dipole transition in alkaline-earth atoms, weakly allowed in odd isotopes by the hyperfine interaction of the nuclear spin and completely forbidden by a single-photon process in even isotopes. Trapping the atoms in a Stark-free optical httice will allow a large ensemble of atoms to exhibit a spectrum free of Doppler and recoil shifts, leading to an estimated accuracy of a few parts in lo1* (3, 41. As an additional application, the long atomic coherence times in optical lattices also suggest using the 'SO-~PO pairs of states as an array of qubits for quantum information (5, 61. Yb and Sr are both strong candidates for an optical lattice clock as well as for creating useful qubits. Both atoms have experimentally accessible energy level transitions, allowing the atoms to be readily laser-cooled and trapped, and in the case of Yb, Eose-Einstein condensed. While the Sr clock transition has been studied extensively, both in and out of an optical lattice, the same transition in Yb has thus far remained unexplored experimentally. Here we report the direct excitation of the 578 nm 'SO-~P~ transition in odd isotope 171,173Yb. (We understand that a group at NIST has also observed this transition (7)). We also discuss the possible application of this type of transitions in making qubits for quantum computation and a clock scheme based on three-photon transition in an even isotope (8, 91. - The level structure of Yb and the experimental apparatus are diagrammed in Fig. 1. The experiment is performed on a sample of cold atoms collected in a magneto- optical trap (MOT). To excite the clock transition, we shut off the MOT beams and irradiate the cloud of atoms with a 578 nm probe. JVe t,hen turn the MOT beams back on, continuously monitoring 399 nm fluorescence from the atom cloud. As the probe laser frequency is scanned over the dock transition, there is an observable decrease in MOT fluorescence as atoms are excited into the metastable 3Po state and escape the trap. By chopping trap and probe beams out of phase, we avoid light shifts of the clock transition due to near-resonant 399 nm light while maintaining a steady-state MOT population. The MOT fluorescence reduction of 171Yb is shown in Fig. 2 (a). Since iodine lines have been well measured in Observation of the 1So-3P, Transition in 1713173YbWe report an experimental observation of the weak 'SO-~PO transition in 171,173Ybl and new approaches for qubits and optical clocks with this single-photon resonance and a three-photon resonance in an even isotope, respectively. Introduction - Optical clocks show great promise as the next generation of precision frequency standards due to the high frequency and correspondingly high line-Q of weakly allowed atomic transitions. Thanks to femtosecond comb technology (l), clocks based on optical transitions in both single trapped ions and neutral atom clouds are poised to exceed the already stringent bounds on precision set by microwave frequency standards. A recent proposal combining the Lamb-Dicke confinement of single ion frequency standards with the high signal-tenoise of neutral atom cLouds, and exploiting a highly forbidden transition insensitive to external magnetic fields and trap light polarization has the potential to do even better (2). The scheme makes use of the 'SO-~P~ electric dipole transition in alkaline-earth atoms, weakly allowed in odd isotopes by the hyperfine interaction of the nuclear spin and completely forbidden by a single-photon process in even isotopes. Trapping the atoms in a Stark-free optical httice will allow a large ensemble of atoms to exhibit a spectrum free of Doppler and recoil shifts, leading to an estimated accuracy of a few parts in lo1* (3, 41. As an additional application, the long atomic coherence times in optical lattices also suggest using the 'SO-~PO pairs of states as an array of qubits for quantum information (5, 61. Yb and Sr are both strong candidates for an optical lattice clock as well as for creating useful qubits. Both atoms have experimentally accessible energy level transitions, allowing the atoms to be readily laser-cooled and trapped, and in the case of Yb, Eose-Einstein condensed. While the Sr clock transition has been studied extensively, both in and out of an optical lattice, the same transition in Yb has thus far remained unexplored experimentally. Here we report the direct excitation of the 578 nm 'SO-~P~ transition in odd isotope 171,173Yb. (We understand that a group at NIST has also observed this transition (7)). We also discuss the possible application of this type of transitions in making qubits for quantum computation and a clock scheme based on three-photon transition in an even isotope (8, 91. - The level structure of Yb and the experimental apparatus are diagrammed in Fig. 1. The experiment is performed on a sample of cold atoms collected in a magneto- optical trap (MOT). To excite the clock transition, we shut off the MOT beams and irradiate the cloud of atoms with a 578 nm probe. JVe t,hen turn the MOT beams back on, continuously monitoring 399 nm fluorescence from the atom cloud. As the probe laser frequency is scanned over the dock transition, there is an observable decrease in MOT fluorescence as atoms are excited into the metastable 3Po state and escape the trap. By chopping trap and probe beams out of phase, we avoid light shifts of the clock transition due to near-resonant 399 nm light while maintaining a steady-state MOT population. The MOT fluorescence reduction of 171Yb is shown in Fig. 2 (a). Since iodine lines have been well measured in Observation of the 1So-3P, Transition in 1713173Yb

Jan 1, 20051 citation

Coherent Suppression of Tensor Frequency Shifts through Magnetic Field Rotation

R. Lange, Nils Huntemann, Christian Sanner +4 more

We introduce a scheme to coherently suppress second-rank tensor frequency shifts in atomic clocks, relying on the continuous rotation of an external magnetic field during the free atomic state evolution in a Ramsey sequence. The method retrieves the unperturbed frequency within a single interrogation cycle and is readily applicable to various atomic clock systems. For the frequency shift due to the electric quadrupole interaction, we experimentally demonstrate suppression by more than two orders of magnitude for the ^{2}S_{1/2}→^{2}D_{3/2} transition of a single trapped ^{171}Yb^{+} ion. The scheme provides particular advantages in the case of the ^{171}Yb^{+} ^{2}S_{1/2}→^{2}F_{7/2} electric octupole (E3) transition. For an improved estimate of the residual quadrupole shift for this transition, we measure the excited state electric quadrupole moments Θ(^{2}D_{3/2})=1.95(1)ea_{0}^{2} and Θ(^{2}F_{7/2})=-0.0297(5)ea_{0}^{2} with e the elementary charge and a_{0} the Bohr radius, improving the measurement uncertainties by one order of magnitude.We introduce a scheme to coherently suppress second-rank tensor frequency shifts in atomic clocks, relying on the continuous rotation of an external magnetic field during the free atomic state evolution in a Ramsey sequence. The method retrieves the unperturbed frequency within a single interrogation cycle and is readily applicable to various atomic clock systems. For the frequency shift due to the electric quadrupole interaction, we experimentally demonstrate suppression by more than two orders of magnitude for the ^{2}S_{1/2}→^{2}D_{3/2} transition of a single trapped ^{171}Yb^{+} ion. The scheme provides particular advantages in the case of the ^{171}Yb^{+} ^{2}S_{1/2}→^{2}F_{7/2} electric octupole (E3) transition. For an improved estimate of the residual quadrupole shift for this transition, we measure the excited state electric quadrupole moments Θ(^{2}D_{3/2})=1.95(1)ea_{0}^{2} and Θ(^{2}F_{7/2})=-0.0297(5)ea_{0}^{2} with e the elementary charge and a_{0} the Bohr radius, improving the measurement uncertainties by one order of magnitude.

arXiv:2005.14687Physical Review LettersSep 28, 202019 citations

Lifetime of the F 7 / 2 2 Level in Yb + for Spontaneous Emission of Electric Octupole Radiation

R. Lange, A. A. Peshkov, N. Huntemann +3 more

We report a measurement of the radiative lifetime of the $^{2}{F}_{7/2}$ level of $^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ that is coupled to the $^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ ground state via an electric octupole transition. The radiative lifetime is determined to be $4.98(25)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{s}$, corresponding to 1.58(8) yr. The result reduces the relative uncertainty in this exceptionally long excited state lifetime by 1 order of magnitude with respect to previous experimental estimates. Our method is based on the coherent excitation of the corresponding transition and avoids limitations through competing decay processes. The explicit dependence on the laser intensity is eliminated by simultaneously measuring the resonant Rabi frequency and the induced quadratic Stark shift. Combining the result with information on the dynamic differential polarizability permits a calculation of the transition matrix element to infer the radiative lifetime.We report a measurement of the radiative lifetime of the $^{2}{F}_{7/2}$ level of $^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ that is coupled to the $^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ ground state via an electric octupole transition. The radiative lifetime is determined to be $4.98(25)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{s}$, corresponding to 1.58(8) yr. The result reduces the relative uncertainty in this exceptionally long excited state lifetime by 1 order of magnitude with respect to previous experimental estimates. Our method is based on the coherent excitation of the corresponding transition and avoids limitations through competing decay processes. The explicit dependence on the laser intensity is eliminated by simultaneously measuring the resonant Rabi frequency and the induced quadratic Stark shift. Combining the result with information on the dynamic differential polarizability permits a calculation of the transition matrix element to infer the radiative lifetime.

Physical Review LettersNov 16, 202139 citations

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of

^{173}

^{+}

Ions

Compared to other stable isotopes of

\rm{Yb}^+

^{173}\rm{Yb}^+

has a richer hyperfine structure, which leads to more favorable clock transitions, spectroscopic techniques for probing new physics, and more sophisticated quantum computing architectures. However, to date, its electronic spectrum remains poorly characterized. Here, we report on efficient laser cooling, state preparation, and detection of a single trapped

^{173}\rm{Yb}^+

ion. The previously unobserved

^2\!S_{1/2} \rightarrow {}^2\!D_{3/2}

electric quadrupole transition at 436 nm is coherently excited, and the isotope shift between

^{171}\rm{Yb}^+

and

^{173}\rm{Yb}^+

on this transition is determined with an uncertainty of 1.4 Hz. Using microwave spectroscopy, we resolve the hyperfine structure (HFS) of the

{}^2\!D_{3/2}

state with a relative uncertainty below

10^{-8}

. From the HFS measurement data, we infer for

{}^{173}

Yb a nuclear magnetic octupole moment

Ω= -0.062(8)\,({\rm b} \times μ_N)

with uncertainty reduced by more than 2 orders of magnitude compared to previous studies. The data also allow us to determine hyperfine anomalies for the

{}^2\!S_{1/2}

and

{}^2\!D_{3/2}

states.

We report on the first coherent excitation of the highly forbidden ${^{2}S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{^{2}F}_{7/2}$ electric octupole (E3) transition in a single trapped

^{172}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}

ion, an isotope without nuclear spin. Using the transition in

^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}

as a reference, we determine the transition frequency to be 642 116 784 950 887.6(2.4) Hz. We map out the magnetic field environment using the forbidden ${^{2}S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{^{2}D}_{5/2}$ electric quadrupole (E2) transition and determine its frequency to be 729 476 867 027 206.8(4.4) Hz. Our results are a factor of $1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$ ($3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$) more accurate for the E2 (E3) transition compared to previous measurements. The results open up the way to search for new physics via precise isotope shift measurements and improved tests of local Lorentz invariance using the metastable

{^{2}F}_{7/2}

state of

{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}

We report a measurement of the radiative lifetime of the

^{2}{F}_{7/2}

level of

^{171}{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}

that is coupled to the

^{2}{S}_{1/2}

ground state via an electric octupole transition. The radiative lifetime is determined to be $4.98(25)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{s}$, corresponding to 1.58(8) yr. The result reduces the relative uncertainty in this exceptionally long excited state lifetime by 1 order of magnitude with respect to previous experimental estimates. Our method is based on the coherent excitation of the corresponding transition and avoids limitations through competing decay processes. The explicit dependence on the laser intensity is eliminated by simultaneously measuring the resonant Rabi frequency and the induced quadratic Stark shift. Combining the result with information on the dynamic differential polarizability permits a calculation of the transition matrix element to infer the radiative lifetime.