J. C. Bergquist

Frequency Ratio of Al+ and Hg+ Single-Ion Optical Clocks; Metrology at the 17th Decimal Place

Time has always had a special status in physics because of its fundamental role in specifying the regularities of nature and because of the extraordinary precision with which it can be measured. This precision enables tests of fundamental physics and cosmology, as well as practical applications such as satellite navigation. Recently, a regime of operation for atomic clocks based on optical transitions has become possible, promising even higher performance. We report the frequency ratio of two optical atomic clocks with a fractional uncertainty of 5.2 × 10–17. The ratio of aluminum and mercury single-ion optical clock frequencies νAl+/νHg+ is 1.052871833148990438(55), where the uncertainty comprises a statistical measurement uncertainty of 4.3 × 10–17, and systematic uncertainties of 1.9 × 10–17 and 2.3 × 10–17 in the mercury and aluminum frequency standards, respectively. Repeated measurements during the past year yield a preliminary constraint on the temporal variation of the fine-structure constant α of \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \({\dot{{\alpha}}}{/}{\alpha}=(-1.6{\pm}2.3){\times}10^{-17}{/}\mathrm{year}\) \end{document}.

Generation of ultrastable microwaves via optical frequency division

Researchers demonstrate a microwave generator based on a high-Q optical resonator and a frequency comb functioning as an optical-to-microwave divider. They generate 10 GHz electrical signals with a fractional frequency instability of ≤8 × 10−16 at 1 s.

Absolute frequency measurements of the Hg+ and Ca optical clock transitions with a femtosecond laser.

The frequency comb created by a femtosecond mode-locked laser and a microstructured fiber is used to phase coherently measure the frequencies of both the Hg+ and Ca optical standards with respect to the SI second. We find the transition frequencies to be f(Hg) = 1 064 721 609 899 143(10) Hz and f(Ca) = 455 986 240 494 158(26) Hz, respectively. In addition to the unprecedented precision demonstrated here, this work is the precursor to all-optical atomic clocks based on the Hg+ and Ca standards. Furthermore, when combined with previous measurements, we find no time variations of these atomic frequencies within the uncertainties of the absolute value of( partial differential f(Ca)/ partial differential t)/f(Ca) < or =8 x 10(-14) yr(-1) and the absolute value of(partial differential f(Hg)/ partial differential t)/f(Hg) < or =30 x 10(-14) yr(-1).

Sub-dekahertz ultraviolet spectroscopy of 199Hg+

Using a laser that is frequency locked to a Fabry-Perot etalon of high finesse and stability, we probe the 5d(10)6s (2)S(1/2)(F = 0)<-->5d(9)6s(2) (2)D(5/2)(F = 2) Deltam(F) = 0 electric-quadrupole transition of a single laser-cooled 199Hg+ ion stored in a cryogenic radio-frequency ion trap. We observe Fourier-transform limited linewidths as narrow as 6.7 Hz at 282 nm ( 1.06x10(15) Hz), yielding a line Q approximately 1.6x10(14). We perform a preliminary measurement of the 5d(9)6s(2) (2)D(5/2) electric-quadrupole shift due to interaction with the static fields of the trap, and discuss the implications for future trapped-ion optical frequency standards.

Optical frequency standards and measurements

We describe the performance characteristics and frequency measurements of two high-accuracy high-stability laser-cooled atomic frequency standards. One is a 657-nm (456-THz) reference using magneto-optically trapped Ca atoms, and the other is a 282-nm (1064-THz) reference based on a single Hg/sup +/ ion confined in an RF-Paul trap. A femtosecond mode-locked laser combined with a nonlinear microstructure fiber produces a broad and stable comb of optical modes that is used to measure the frequencies of the reference lasers locked to the atomic standards. The measurement system is referenced to the primary frequency standard NIST F-1, a Cs atomic fountain clock. Both optical standards demonstrate exceptional short-term instability (/spl ap/5/spl times/10/sup -15/ at 1 s), as well as excellent reproducibility over time. In light of our expectations for the future of optical frequency standards, we consider the present performance of the femtosecond optical frequency comb, along with its limitations and future requirements.

Observation of the 1S0-->3P0 clock transition in 27Al+.

We report, for the first time, laser spectroscopy of the 1S0-->3P0 clock transition in 27Al+. A single aluminum ion and a single beryllium ion are simultaneously confined in a linear Paul trap, coupled by their mutual Coulomb repulsion. This coupling allows the beryllium ion to sympathetically cool the aluminum ion and also enables transfer of the aluminums electronic state to the berylliums hyperfine state, which can be measured with high fidelity. These techniques are applied to measure the clock transition frequency nu=1,121,015,393,207,851(6) Hz. They are also used to measure the lifetime of the metastable clock state tau=20.6+/-1.4 s, the ground state 1S0 g factor gS=-0.000,792,48(14), and the excited state 3P0 g factor gP=-0.001,976,86(21), in units of the Bohr magneton.

Laser spectroscopy of trapped atomic ions.

Recent developments in laser spectroscopy of atomic ions stored in electromagnetic traps are reviewed with emphasis on techniques that appear to hold the greatest promise of attaining extremely high resolution. Among these techniques are laser cooling and the use of single, isolated ions as experimental samples. Doppler shifts and other perturbing influences can be largely eliminated. Atomic resonances with line widths of a few parts in 1011 have been observed at frequencies ranging from the radio frequency to the ultraviolet. Experimental accuracies of one part in 1018 appear to be attainable.

High- Resolution Optical Spectra of Laser Cooled Ions

We obtain essentially Doppler free spectra of the naturally occuring isotopes of Mg+, which are bound in a Penning trap, by using a frequency stabilized laser to continuously cool the ions, while the scatter rate from a second, frequency swept laser is, monitored. We show that the magnetron motion as well as the cyclotron and axial motion can be minimized. Line position measurements yielding resonance transition energy, isotope and hyperfine shifts are reported.

Absorption spectroscopy at the limit: detection of a single atom

We investigate the sensitivity limit of absorption spectroscopy. An experiment is described in which the decrease in transmitted light intensity that is due to absorption by a single, electromagnetically confined atomic ion is observed.

Observation of theS01→P03Clock Transition inAl+27

We report, for the first time, laser spectroscopy of the 1S0-->3P0 clock transition in 27Al+. A single aluminum ion and a single beryllium ion are simultaneously confined in a linear Paul trap, coupled by their mutual Coulomb repulsion. This coupling allows the beryllium ion to sympathetically cool the aluminum ion and also enables transfer of the aluminums electronic state to the berylliums hyperfine state, which can be measured with high fidelity. These techniques are applied to measure the clock transition frequency nu=1,121,015,393,207,851(6) Hz. They are also used to measure the lifetime of the metastable clock state tau=20.6+/-1.4 s, the ground state 1S0 g factor gS=-0.000,792,48(14), and the excited state 3P0 g factor gP=-0.001,976,86(21), in units of the Bohr magneton.