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

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Lattice-based optical clock using an even isotope of Yb

Zeb W. Barber, Chad Hoyt, J. E. Stalnaker, N. Lemke, Chris W. Oates, Tara M. Fortier, Scott A. Diddams, Leo W. Hollberg

Published Aug 29, 2007• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We describe progress toward an optical lattice clock based on an even isotope of Yb. The 1S0 → 3P0 clock resonance in 174Yb is accessed through a magnetically induced spectroscopic technique. Using ≈1mT static magnetic fields and ≈10 μW of probe light power we generate Rabi frequencies of several hertz. The narrow spectroscopic features that result (< 10 Hz FWHM) require a highly stabilized laser at the clock transition wavelength of 578 nm. We describe a new all solid-state laser system that shows hertz level stability. In order to cancel the slow drift of the cavity, spectroscopy is performed on the clock transition to provide feedback to the laser. Using a Ca neutral atom frequency standard as a reference oscillator,we show high stability and an effective method for investigating clock frequency shift systematics.

DOI
10.1117/12.732215

Related papers

Direct Excitation of the Forbidden Clock Transition in Neutral Yb174 Atoms Confined to an Optical Lattice

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

We report direct single-laser excitation of the strictly forbidden (6s2)1S0 <--> (6s6p)3P0 clock transition in 174Yb atoms confined to a 1D optical lattice. A small (approximately 1.2 mT) static magnetic field was used to induce a nonzero electric dipole transition probability between the clock states at 578.42 nm. Narrow resonance linewidths of 20 Hz (FWHM) with high contrast were observed, demonstrating a resonance quality factor of 2.6 x 10(13). The previously unknown ac Stark shift-canceling (magic) wavelength was determined to be 759.35 +/- 0.02 nm. This method for using the metrologically superior even isotope can be easily implemented in current Yb and Sr lattice clocks and can create new clock possibilities in other alkaline-earth-like atoms such as Mg and Ca.

arXiv:physics/0512084•Physical Review Letters•Mar 1, 2006•268 citations

Optical Lattice Clock with Spin-1/2 Ytterbium Atoms

N. Lemke

An optical lattice clock probes a spectrally narrow electronic transition in an ensemble of optically trapped, laser-cooled atoms, for use as a time and frequency standard. To date, several lattice clocks have been demonstrated with superior stability and accuracy compared to primary frequency standards based on microwave transitions. Yet, the question of which atomic system (including the element and isotope) performs best as a lattice clock remains unsettled. This thesis describes the first detailed investigation of an optical lattice clock using a spin-1/2 isotope of the ytterbium atom. A spin-1/2 system possesses several advantages over higher-spin systems, including a simplified level structure (allowing for straightforward manipulation of the nuclear spin state) and the absence of any tensor light shift from the confining optical lattice. Moreover, the ytterbium atom (Yb) stands among the leading lattice clock candidates, offering a high-performance optical clock with some degree of experimental simplicity. The frequency stability of the Yb clock is highlighted by resolving an ultra-narrow clock spectrum with a full-width at half-maximum of 1 Hz, corresponding to a record quality factor Q = ν0/Δν = 5 × 1014. Moreover, this system can be highly accurate, which is demonstrated by characterizing the Yb clock frequency at the 3 × 10-16 level of fractional uncertainty, with further progress toward a ten-fold improvement also presented. To reach this low level of uncertainty required careful consideration of important systematic errors, including the identification of the Stark-canceling wavelength, where the clock’s sensitivity to the lattice intensity is minimized, a precise determination of the static polarizability of the clock transition, and the measurement and control of atom-atom collisions.

•Jan 1, 2012•7 citations

Hertz-Level Clock Spectroscopy of 171 Yb Atoms in a One-Dimensional Optical Lattice

Meng-Jiao Zhang, Hui Liu, Xi Zhang +4 more

An ultra-narrow spectroscopy of clock transition with high signal-to-noise ratio is crucial for a high-performance atomic optical clock. We present a detailed study about how to obtain a Hertz-level clock transition spectrum of 171 Yb atoms. About 4 × 10 4 atoms are loaded into a one-dimensional optical lattice with a magic wavelength of 759 nm, and a long lifetime of 3 s is realized with the lattice power of 1 W. Through normalized shelving detection and spin polarization, 171 Yb clock spectroscopy with a Fourier-limited linewidth of 5.9 Hz is obtained. Our work represents a key step toward an ytterbium optical clock with high frequency stability.

Chinese Physics Letters•Jul 1, 2016•7 citations

Spectroscopy of neutral 174 Yb in a one-dimensional optical lattice

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

We report spectroscopy of the 1S 0 - 3P 0 clock transition in neutral 174Yb atoms confined to a one-dimensional optical lattice at the ac Stark shift-canceling wavelength of 759.35 nm. Spectroscopic linewidths as narrow as 4 Hz, full width at half-maximum, are shown with good contrast and signal-to-noise ratios. An upper limit on frequency instability is demonstrated to be 3 × 10−15 at one second by measuring with respect to another stable laser through a Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser frequency comb.

European Frequency and Time Forum•Mar 27, 2006•0 citations

Systematic Study of the Sr87 Clock Transition in an Optical Lattice

Andrew D. Ludlow, Martin M. Boyd, Tanya Zelevinsky +5 more

With ultracold 87Srconfined in a magic wavelength optical lattice, we present the most precise study (2.8 Hz statistical uncertainty) to date of the 1S0-3P0 optical clock transition with a detailed analysis of systematic shifts (19 Hz uncertainty) in the absolute frequency measurement of 429 228 004 229 869 Hz. The high resolution permits an investigation of the optical lattice motional sideband structure. The local oscillator for this optical atomic clock is a stable diode laser with its hertz-level linewidth characterized by an octave-spanning femtosecond frequency comb.

arXiv:physics/0508041•Physical Review Letters•Jan 26, 2006•184 citations

Observation of 20 Hz-wide optical clock spectra in even-isotope Yb atoms confined to an optical lattice

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

We report the first spectroscopy of optical lattice-confined Yb atoms. We demonstrate 20 Hz linewidths using the highly forbidden clock transition (1S0-3P0) in metrologically superior even-isotope174Yb atoms in a one-dimensional optical lattice.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2006•0 citations
We describe progress toward an optical lattice clock based on an even isotope of Yb. The 1S0 → 3P0 clock resonance in 174Yb is accessed through a magnetically induced spectroscopic technique. Using ≈1mT static magnetic fields and ≈10 μW of probe light power we generate Rabi frequencies of several hertz. The narrow spectroscopic features that result (< 10 Hz FWHM) require a highly stabilized laser at the clock transition wavelength of 578 nm. We describe a new all solid-state laser system that shows hertz level stability. In order to cancel the slow drift of the cavity, spectroscopy is performed on the clock transition to provide feedback to the laser. Using a Ca neutral atom frequency standard as a reference oscillator,we show high stability and an effective method for investigating clock frequency shift systematics.
We report direct single-laser excitation of the strictly forbidden (6s2)1S0 <--> (6s6p)3P0 clock transition in 174Yb atoms confined to a 1D optical lattice. A small (approximately 1.2 mT) static magnetic field was used to induce a nonzero electric dipole transition probability between the clock states at 578.42 nm. Narrow resonance linewidths of 20 Hz (FWHM) with high contrast were observed, demonstrating a resonance quality factor of 2.6 x 10(13). The previously unknown ac Stark shift-canceling (magic) wavelength was determined to be 759.35 +/- 0.02 nm. This method for using the metrologically superior even isotope can be easily implemented in current Yb and Sr lattice clocks and can create new clock possibilities in other alkaline-earth-like atoms such as Mg and Ca.
An optical lattice clock probes a spectrally narrow electronic transition in an ensemble of optically trapped, laser-cooled atoms, for use as a time and frequency standard. To date, several lattice clocks have been demonstrated with superior stability and accuracy compared to primary frequency standards based on microwave transitions. Yet, the question of which atomic system (including the element and isotope) performs best as a lattice clock remains unsettled. This thesis describes the first detailed investigation of an optical lattice clock using a spin-1/2 isotope of the ytterbium atom. A spin-1/2 system possesses several advantages over higher-spin systems, including a simplified level structure (allowing for straightforward manipulation of the nuclear spin state) and the absence of any tensor light shift from the confining optical lattice. Moreover, the ytterbium atom (Yb) stands among the leading lattice clock candidates, offering a high-performance optical clock with some degree of experimental simplicity. The frequency stability of the Yb clock is highlighted by resolving an ultra-narrow clock spectrum with a full-width at half-maximum of 1 Hz, corresponding to a record quality factor Q = ν0/Δν = 5 × 1014. Moreover, this system can be highly accurate, which is demonstrated by characterizing the Yb clock frequency at the 3 × 10-16 level of fractional uncertainty, with further progress toward a ten-fold improvement also presented. To reach this low level of uncertainty required careful consideration of important systematic errors, including the identification of the Stark-canceling wavelength, where the clock’s sensitivity to the lattice intensity is minimized, a precise determination of the static polarizability of the clock transition, and the measurement and control of atom-atom collisions.
An ultra-narrow spectroscopy of clock transition with high signal-to-noise ratio is crucial for a high-performance atomic optical clock. We present a detailed study about how to obtain a Hertz-level clock transition spectrum of 171 Yb atoms. About 4 × 10 4 atoms are loaded into a one-dimensional optical lattice with a magic wavelength of 759 nm, and a long lifetime of 3 s is realized with the lattice power of 1 W. Through normalized shelving detection and spin polarization, 171 Yb clock spectroscopy with a Fourier-limited linewidth of 5.9 Hz is obtained. Our work represents a key step toward an ytterbium optical clock with high frequency stability.
We report spectroscopy of the 1S 0 - 3P 0 clock transition in neutral 174Yb atoms confined to a one-dimensional optical lattice at the ac Stark shift-canceling wavelength of 759.35 nm. Spectroscopic linewidths as narrow as 4 Hz, full width at half-maximum, are shown with good contrast and signal-to-noise ratios. An upper limit on frequency instability is demonstrated to be 3 × 10−15 at one second by measuring with respect to another stable laser through a Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser frequency comb.
With ultracold 87Srconfined in a magic wavelength optical lattice, we present the most precise study (2.8 Hz statistical uncertainty) to date of the 1S0-3P0 optical clock transition with a detailed analysis of systematic shifts (19 Hz uncertainty) in the absolute frequency measurement of 429 228 004 229 869 Hz. The high resolution permits an investigation of the optical lattice motional sideband structure. The local oscillator for this optical atomic clock is a stable diode laser with its hertz-level linewidth characterized by an octave-spanning femtosecond frequency comb.