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Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements

RF-trap apparatus for optical frequency standards

Steven R. Jefferts, Christopher R. Monroe, A. S. Barton, David J. Wineland

Published Dec 17, 2002• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A novel RF (Paul) ion trap apparatus, capable of providing extremely tight confinement is described. Strong localization of trapped ions reduces an important source of noise when using the ions as an optical frequency standard. Alternative cooling schemes, which provide stronger localization than conventional Doppler cooling are also discussed.>

DOI
10.1109/cpem.1994.333231

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A novel RF (Paul) ion trap apparatus, capable of providing extremely tight confinement is described. Strong localization of trapped ions reduces an important source of noise when using the ions as an optical frequency standard. Alternative cooling schemes, which provide stronger localization than conventional Doppler cooling are also discussed.>
We describe a variant of the quadrupole rf (Paul) ion trap capable of localization of a trapped ion within much less than an optical wavelength (Lamb-Dicke regime). Attainment of the Lamb-Dicke regime reduces the sensitivity of the central absorption feature to atomic motion, thereby reducing an important source of noise in an optical frequency standard. The trapping potentials are generated by a high-Q, vacuum-compatible, quarter-wave resonator driven at about 240 MHz. Secular frequencies of tens of megahertz have been achieved for trapped magnesium and beryllium ions.>
We present a novel ultrastable superconducting radio-frequency (RF) ion trap realized as a combination of an RF cavity and a linear Paul trap. Its RF quadrupole mode at 34.52 MHz reaches a quality factor of Q ≈ 2.3 × 105 at a temperature of 4.1 K and is used to radially confine ions in an ultralow-noise pseudopotential. This concept is expected to strongly suppress motional heating rates and related frequency shifts that limit the ultimate accuracy achieved in advanced ion traps for frequency metrology. Running with its low-vibration cryogenic cooling system, electron-beam ion trap, and deceleration beamline supplying highly charged ions (HCIs), the superconducting trap offers ideal conditions for optical frequency metrology with ionic species. We report its proof-of-principle operation as a quadrupole-mass filter with HCIs and trapping of Doppler-cooled 9Be+ Coulomb crystals.
Experimental research toward the realization of an optical frequency standard of high accuracy is briefly reviewed. The studies concentrated on single, laser-cooled ions since they offer several attractive features for the achievement of high accuracy. These features include long storage time which eliminates transit-time broadening, confinement that is nearly nonperturbative to the internal level structure of the ion, laser-cooling that reduces motional shifts to small values, and electron-shelving whereby transitions to long-lived states can be detected with unit probability. The authors studied spectroscopically the electric-quadrupole allowed transition at 282 nm in a single, laser-cooled /sup 199/Hg/sup +/ ion stored in an RF Paul trap with extremely high resolution. The measured linewidth is limited by the spectral purity of the laser to about 80 Hz. Possible improvements and future directions are discussed.>
Microwave spectroscopy using trapped and cooled ions can achieve precision and accuracy comparable to the best cesium frequency standards. We discuss standards based on 199Hg+ ions trapped in linear Paul traps: the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) standard, which uses up to 107 atoms confined near the trap axis, and the recently evaluated NIST standard, which uses approximately ten ions laser cooled and crystalized on the trap axis. We consider future directions in trapped ion frequency standard work, including the use of entangled states for achieving higher precision, and progress on trapped ion optical frequency standards. Finally, we discuss scientific and technical applications of extremely stable frequency standards.
Microwave spectroscopy using trapped and cooled ions can achieve precision and accuracy comparable to the best cesium frequency standards. We discuss standards based on 199Hg+ ions trapped in linear Paul traps: the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) standard, which uses up to 107 atoms confined near the trap axis, and the recently evaluated NIST standard, which uses approximately ten ions laser cooled and crystalized on the trap axis. We consider future directions in trapped ion frequency standard work, including the use of entangled states for achieving higher precision, and progress on trapped ion optical frequency standards. Finally, we discuss scientific and technical applications of extremely stable frequency standards.