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

Applied Physics Letters

Determination of the ground-state hyperfine splitting of trapped 171Yb+ ions

J. Z. Han, N. C. Xin, J. W. Zhang, Yanmei Yu, Jiguang Li, L. Qian, L. J. Wang

Published Aug 19, 2024• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present the determination of the ground-state hyperfine splitting (νHFS) in laser-cooled 171Yb+ ions using our microwave quantum frequency standard (QFS). Employing Ramsey spectroscopy in a closed-loop measurement configuration, we have achieved a νHFS value of 12 642 812 118 469.0(8) mHz with a fractional uncertainty of 6.6×10−14. This result aligns with previously reported values and represents the highest accuracy reported to date for such measurements conducted in a single-shot closed-loop configuration, without averaging over multiple dates. The development of this accurate 171Yb+ microwave QFS holds promise as a transportable time-frequency reference for satellite navigation systems.

DOI
10.1063/5.0226908

Related papers

Precision determination of the ground-state hyperfine splitting of trapped 113Cd+ ions

S. N. Miao, Jianwei Zhang, H. R. Qin +3 more

We measured the ground-state hyperfine splitting of trapped 113 C d + ions to be 15199862855.02799(27) Hz with a fractional uncertainty of 1.8 × 10 − 14 . The ions were trapped and laser-cooled in a linear quadrupole Paul trap. The fractional frequency stability was measured to be 4.2 × 10 − 13 / τ , obtained from Ramsey fringes of high signal-to-noise ratios and taken over a measurement time of nearly 5 h, which is close to the short-term stability limit estimated from the Dick effect. Our result is consistent with previously reported values, but the measurement precision is four times better than the best result obtained to date.

Optics Letters•Nov 2, 2021•21 citations

High-accuracy frequency standards using laser-cooled Hg+ ions

Dana J. Berkeland, J.D. Miller, Brent C. Young +3 more

We discuss frequency standards based on laser-cooled 199Hg+ ions confined in cryogenic rf traps. In one experiment, the frequency of a microwave source is served to the ions' ground-state hyperfine transition at 40.5 GHz. For seven ions and a Ramsey free precession time of 100 s, the fractional frequency stability is 3.3 (2) X 10-13 (tau) -1/2 for measurement times (tau) < 2 h. The ground-state hyperfine interval is measured to be 40 507 347 996.841 59 (14) (41) Hz, where the first number in parentheses is the uncertainty due to statistics and systematic errors, and the second is the uncertainty in the frequency of the time scale to which the standard is compared. In a second experiment under development, a strong-binding cryogenic trap will confine a single ion used for an optical frequency standard based on a narrow electric quadrupole transition at 282 nm. The bandwidth of the laser used to drive this transition is less than 10 Hz at 563 nm.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 15, 1998•1 citation

A Microwave Clock Based on Laser-Cooled 171 Yb + Ions

N. C. Xin, Jianwei Zhang, S. N. Miao +5 more

A microwave frequency standard based on laser-cooled171Yb+ions at Tsinghua University has been investigated. More than 105171Yb+ions were stably trapped for over 40 hours. The ground-state hyperfine splitting frequency of171Yb+was determined to be 12642812118.4672(8) Hz with a fractional frequency uncertainty of 6.33×10−14. Our work is in a continuous line with that of other scholars.

Joint Conference of the European Frequency and Time Forum and IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (EFTF/IFCS)•Apr 24, 2022•2 citations

Laser-cooled 171Yb+ microwave frequency standard with a short-term frequency instability of 8.5 × 10−13/√τ

N. C. Xin, H. R. Qin, S. N. Miao +5 more

We report on the development of a microwave frequency standard based on a laser-cooled 171 Y b + ion trap system. The electronics , lasers, and magnetic shields are integrated into a single physical package. With over 105 ions are stably trapped, the system offers a high signal-to-noise ratio Ramsey line-shape. In comparison with previous work, the frequency instability of a 171 Y b + microwave clock was further improved to 8.5 × 10 − 13 / τ for averaging times between 10 and 1000 s. Essential systematic shifts and uncertainties are also estimated.

Optics Express•Mar 22, 2022•24 citations

High-accuracy measurement of the ^113Cd^+ ground-state hyperfine splitting at the milli-Hertz level

Shiguang Wang, Jianwei Zhang, K. Miao +2 more

We have developed a microwave frequency standard based on the 15.2 GHz ground-stated hyperfine transition of (113)C(+) ions. Using a laser-cooled ion cloud trapped in a linear quadrupole Paul trap, the clock transition frequency is measured to be 15 199 862 855.0125(87) Hz, with an accuracy at the 10(-13) level. The main errors are from the microwave frequency reference used in the experiment. The precision is improved by nearly two orders of magnitude than that reported before.

Optics Express•May 14, 2013•19 citations

Progress toward a microwave frequency standard based on laser-cooled large scale 171Yb+ ion crystal

N. C. Xin, H. R. Qin, Miao, S. N. +4 more

We report on progress towards a microwave frequency standard based on a laser-cooled 171Yb+ ion trap system. The electronics, lasers, and magnetic shields are integrated into a single physical package. With over 1E5 ions are stably trapped, the system offers a high signal-to-noise ratio Ramsey line-shape. In comparison with previous work, the frequency instability of a 171Yb+ microwave clock was further improved to $8.5 \times {10^{ - 13}}/\sqrt \tau$ for averaging times between 10 and 1000 s.

arXiv:2201.02937•Jan 9, 2022•0 citations
We present the determination of the ground-state hyperfine splitting (νHFS) in laser-cooled 171Yb+ ions using our microwave quantum frequency standard (QFS). Employing Ramsey spectroscopy in a closed-loop measurement configuration, we have achieved a νHFS value of 12 642 812 118 469.0(8) mHz with a fractional uncertainty of 6.6×10−14. This result aligns with previously reported values and represents the highest accuracy reported to date for such measurements conducted in a single-shot closed-loop configuration, without averaging over multiple dates. The development of this accurate 171Yb+ microwave QFS holds promise as a transportable time-frequency reference for satellite navigation systems.
We measured the ground-state hyperfine splitting of trapped 113 C d + ions to be 15199862855.02799(27) Hz with a fractional uncertainty of 1.8 × 10 − 14 . The ions were trapped and laser-cooled in a linear quadrupole Paul trap. The fractional frequency stability was measured to be 4.2 × 10 − 13 / τ , obtained from Ramsey fringes of high signal-to-noise ratios and taken over a measurement time of nearly 5 h, which is close to the short-term stability limit estimated from the Dick effect. Our result is consistent with previously reported values, but the measurement precision is four times better than the best result obtained to date.
We discuss frequency standards based on laser-cooled 199Hg+ ions confined in cryogenic rf traps. In one experiment, the frequency of a microwave source is served to the ions' ground-state hyperfine transition at 40.5 GHz. For seven ions and a Ramsey free precession time of 100 s, the fractional frequency stability is 3.3 (2) X 10-13 (tau) -1/2 for measurement times (tau) < 2 h. The ground-state hyperfine interval is measured to be 40 507 347 996.841 59 (14) (41) Hz, where the first number in parentheses is the uncertainty due to statistics and systematic errors, and the second is the uncertainty in the frequency of the time scale to which the standard is compared. In a second experiment under development, a strong-binding cryogenic trap will confine a single ion used for an optical frequency standard based on a narrow electric quadrupole transition at 282 nm. The bandwidth of the laser used to drive this transition is less than 10 Hz at 563 nm.
We report on the development of a microwave frequency standard based on a laser-cooled 171 Y b + ion trap system. The electronics , lasers, and magnetic shields are integrated into a single physical package. With over 105 ions are stably trapped, the system offers a high signal-to-noise ratio Ramsey line-shape. In comparison with previous work, the frequency instability of a 171 Y b + microwave clock was further improved to 8.5 × 10 − 13 / τ for averaging times between 10 and 1000 s. Essential systematic shifts and uncertainties are also estimated.
We report on progress towards a microwave frequency standard based on a laser-cooled 171Yb+ ion trap system. The electronics, lasers, and magnetic shields are integrated into a single physical package. With over 1E5 ions are stably trapped, the system offers a high signal-to-noise ratio Ramsey line-shape. In comparison with previous work, the frequency instability of a 171Yb+ microwave clock was further improved to 8.5×10−13/τ8.5 \times {10^{ - 13}}/\sqrt \tau8.5×10−13/τ​ for averaging times between 10 and 1000 s.