Ion ring in a linear multipole trap for optical frequency metrology
C. Champenois, Mathieu Marciante, J. Pedregosa-Gutierrez +3 more
A ring crystal of ions trapped in a linear multipole trap is studied as the basis for an optical frequency standard. The equilibrium conditions and cooling possibilities are discussed through an analytical model and molecular dynamics simulations. A configuration is proposed that reduces the frequency sensitivity to the fluctuations of the number of trapped ions. The systematic shifts for the electric quadrupole transition of calcium ions are evaluated for this ring configuration. This study shows that a ring of 10 or 20 ions allows a better short-term stability to be reached than for a single ion without introducing limiting long-term fluctuations.
arXiv:1003.0763•Physical Review A•Apr 15, 2010•48 citations