Accurate measurement of the 12.6 GHz "clock" transition in trapped /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ ions

We have measured the frequency of the /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ 12.6 GHz M/sub F/=0/spl rarr/0 ground state hyperfine "clock" transition in buffer gas-cooled ion clouds confined in two similar, but not identical, linear Paul traps. After correction for the known differences between the two ion traps, including significantly different second-order Doppler shifts, the frequencies agree within an uncertainty of less than 2 parts in 10/sup 13/. Our best value, based on an analytic model for the second-order Doppler shift, for the frequency of the clock transition of an isolated ion at zero temperature, velocity, electric field and magnetic field, is 12642812118.466+0.002 Hz.

[1]  C. Tamm,et al.  Radio-frequency laser double-resonance spectroscopy of trapped171Yb ions and determination of line shifts of the ground-state hyperfine resonance , 1995 .

[2]  L. Maleki,et al.  The development of a ytterbium ion frequency standard , 1992, Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE Frequency Control Symposium.

[3]  D. Blair,et al.  Performance of a prototype microwave frequency standard based on trapped /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ ions , 1994, Proceedings of IEEE 48th Annual Symposium on Frequency Control.

[4]  Lute Maleki,et al.  Simple analytic potentials for linear ion traps , 1990 .

[5]  M. Jardino,et al.  Analytical calculation of the space charge potential and the temperature of stored ions in an rf quadrupole trap , 1988 .

[6]  L. Maleki,et al.  Progress toward the development of a ytterbium ion standard , 1994, Proceedings of IEEE 48th Annual Symposium on Frequency Control.

[7]  David J. Wineland,et al.  High Accuracy Spectroscopy of Stored Ions , 1989 .

[8]  M. Sellars,et al.  Performance of a prototype microwave frequency standard based on laser-detected, trapped171Yb+ ions , 1995 .

[9]  M. A. Lawn,et al.  Further investigation of a prototype microwave frequency standard based on trapped /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ ions , 1995, Proceedings of the 1995 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (49th Annual Symposium).

[10]  L. Cutler,et al.  Thermalization of199Hg ion macromotion by a light background gas in an RF quadrupole trap , 1985 .

[11]  Lute Maleki,et al.  Recent stability comparisons with the JPL linear trapped ion frequency standards , 1994, Proceedings of IEEE 48th Annual Symposium on Frequency Control.

[12]  David Blair,et al.  A very high stability sapphire loaded superconducting cavity oscillator , 1990 .

[13]  R. Blatt,et al.  A 12-GHz Standard Clock on Trapped Ytterbium Ions† , 1991 .

[14]  R. Tjoelker,et al.  Doppler sideband spectra for ions in a linear trap , 1993, 1993 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium.

[15]  P. Fisk,et al.  Laser cooling of 171Yb+ ions in a linear paul trap , 1993 .

[16]  L. Cutler,et al.  Doppler effects due to thermal macromotion of ions in an rf quadrupole trap , 1986 .

[17]  L. Maleki,et al.  New ion trap for frequency standard applications , 1989 .

[18]  Lute Maleki,et al.  Long term stability of Hg/sup +/ trapped ion frequency standards , 1993, 1993 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium.