6s2 1S0 Research Articles

Direct loading of Yb atoms into a 3D magneto-optical trap from a dispenser atomic source

The realization of cold atoms using a compact and low-power-consumption experimental setup is indispensable for cold atom experiments, including optical clocks and quantum simulations. We demonstrate the direct loading of Yb atoms into a 3D magneto-optical trap (MOT) from a dispenser atomic source without using a Zeeman slower. The power consumption of the dispenser was ∼3 W. Spectroscopy of the atomic beam from the dispenser on the 6s2 1S0–6s6p 1P1 Yb transition at 399 nm shows that the flux of the atomic beam reaches 1.4 × 1013 s−1 cm−2. We can load up to 4.1 × 107 atoms into the MOT with slowing and trapping laser powers of 20.3 and 35.0 mW, respectively. The realized cold atom system is reliable and can be adapted for experiments on alkaline earth and other alkaline earth-like atoms.

Absolute frequency measurement of the 6s21S0 → 6s6p3P1F = 3/2 → F' = 5/2 201Hg transition with background-free saturation spectroscopy.

We report the development of a method for eliminating background-induced systematic shifts affecting precise measurements of saturation absorption signals. With this technique, we measured the absolute frequency of the 6s21S0 → 6s6p3P1 transition in 201aHg (F = 3/2 → F' = 5/2) to be 1181541111051(83) kHz. The measurement was referenced with an optical frequency comb synchronized to the frequency of the local representation of the UTC. This specific atomic line is situated on the steep slope of the Doppler background at room temperature, which results in a frequency systematic shift. We determined the dependence of this shift on the properties of both the spectral line and the background of the measured signal.

Photoionization cross-section measurements from the 6s5d 1D2 excited state of atomic ytterbium

We present new experimental measurements on the photoionization cross-sections from the 6s5d1D2 excited state of ytterbium using a heat pipe-cum-linear thermionic diode ion detector, working in the space-charge limited mode to generate ytterbium vapor. A Nd:YAG laser pumped narrow bandwidth (~ 0.2 cm-1) Hanna-type dye laser, charged with LDS-698 dye and tuned at 722.6 nm, was used to excite atoms via the 6s2 1S0 → 6s5d1D2 two-photon transition from the ground state. The excited state population was then promoted to the ionization threshold at 439.2 nm ionizing laser wavelength and above the ionization threshold at 435 nm, 355 nm, and 266 nm laser wavelengths. The photoionization cross-sections at each of these wavelengths have been determined using the saturation technique. At the first ionization threshold, the photoionization cross-section from the 6s5d1D2 excited state is extracted as 40.5 ± 6.2 Mb, whereas at higher energies in the continuum, the cross-section decreases up to 6.4 Mb at 266 nm, which corresponds to 1.84 eV excess energy.

Full set of relaxation constants for 174Yb level (6s6p) 3P1 in collisions with rare gases

For the first time, a complete set of decay parameters, due to collisions of 174Yb atoms with noble gas atoms and with ytterbium atoms, was experimentally found for the 174Yb (6s6p) 3P1 level. The method of stimulated photon echo with special angles between the polarization vectors of light pulses forming an echo at the 174Yb (6s2) 1S0—(6s6p) 3P1 transition (type ) is used. For each buffer gas of He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and Yb, the decay rate constants of population, orientation and alignment for the collision destruction of the 3P1 level of 174Yb atoms are determined. All the decay rates demonstrated their linear increase with a buffer gas pressure, and the corresponding relaxation constants are determined. Each of the indicated relaxation constants, as well as the difference between the alignment and orientation relaxation constants, increases with the increasing buffer gas mass.

Fourier transform detection of weak optical transitions in atoms undergoing cyclic routines

We demonstrate a means of detecting weak optical transitions in cold atoms that undergo cyclic (preparation, probing, and detection) routines with improved sensitivity. The gain in sensitivity is made by probing atoms on alternate cycles of a repeated experimental sequence, leading to regular modulation of the ground state atom population when at the resonance frequency. The atomic transition is identified by conducting a fast Fourier transform via an algorithm or instrument. We find an enhancement of detection sensitivity compared to more conventional scanning methods of ∼20 for the same sampling time, and can detect contemporary clock lines with fewer than 103 atoms in a magneto-optical trap. We apply the method to the (6s2) 1S0−(6s6p) 3P0 clock transition in 171Yb and 173Yb. In addition, the ac-Stark shift of this line in 171Yb is measured to be 0.19(3) kHz W−1 m2 at 556 nm.

Absolute frequency measurement of an Yb optical clock at the 10−16 level using International Atomic Time

We report on the absolute frequency measurement of the 6s2 1S0–6s6p 3P0 transition in 171Yb with a fractional uncertainty of 7.3 × 10–16. A global positioning system carrier phase frequency transfer was established between National Institute of Metrology of China and East China Normal University, which linked the optical frequency of the ECNU Yb1 clock to the second in the International System of Units (SI) through international atomic time. Frequency measurements were carried out in 15 separate days with a total time over 3.8 × 105 s. The absolute frequency was determined to be 518 295 836 590 863.30(38) Hz. Our result is in good agreement with the recommended value in neutral Yb as a secondary representation of the SI second endorsed by the International Committee for Weights and Measures.

Kinetics of a Collision-Induced Photon Echo

The nonmonotonic kinetics of a collision-induced photon echo has been investigated for a number of buffer atoms. The collision-induced photon echo was generated at the 174Yb (6s2) 1S0 ↔ (6s6p) 3P1 (0 ↔ 1) transition by a pair of linearly and mutually orthogonally polarized resonant radiation pulses in ytterbium vapor and its mixtures with He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe. The kinetics of the conventional photon echo generated by pulses with identical linear polarizations was recorded in the same mixtures. The derived decay rate constants for both types of echo are equal to within the measurement errors. For the collisions of 174Yb atoms between themselves and with other ytterbium isotopes in a natural mixture of isotopes, an upper limit for the anisotropy parameter has been estimated, 0.22 ± 0.07 of the photon echo signal decay rate.

Photon echo in the ytterbium vapour induced at transition by the relaxation anisotropy of collisions with noble gases

A collision-induced photon echo (PE) was formed at the 174Yb (6s2) 1S0—(6s6p) 3P1 transition by two resonant radiation pulses polarized linearly and mutually orthogonally. The noble gases He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe were used as collision partners for excited 174Yb atoms. The nonmonotonous decay kinetics of collision-induced PE was detected. The ordinary PE formed by identical linear polarization pulses at the same experimental conditions showed a monotonous decay for the time delays between 80 and 300 ns. The anisotropy parameters for the collisions of 174Yb atoms with Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe atoms increase with the buffer atom mass and are between 15% and 20% of the corresponding homogeneous line broadening values.

Triplet emission of atomic ytterbium isolated in a xenon matrix

The electronic transitions of ytterbium atoms in a solid Xe matrix grown at 4.8 K are investigated. Absorption bands are detected in the regions of the gas-phase 6s2 1S0 → 4f135d6s2 and 6s2 1S0 → 6s6p 1P1 transitions. Both bands indicate that Yb atoms occupy multiple trapping sites, of which three are identified. Emission induced by the 6s2 1S0 → 6s6p 1P1 excitation is found to be concentrated entirely in the region of the 6s6p 3PJ → 6s2 1S0 decay, whereas the singlet emission is completely quenched. Multiple emission peaks are observed and the effects of annealing and prolonged irradiation on their amplitudes are found to be significant and are interpreted as a consequence of Yb population transfer from one type of site to another. Modeling of the ground-state site structure and stability predicts three Yb/Xe occupation types, substitutional (ss), tetravacancy (tv) and hexavacancy (hv), in order of decreasing stability. Their tentative associations with observed absorption and emission features are discussed. Time correlated single photon spectroscopy is used to determine the lifetimes of the individual emission bands. They are found to be different from each other with indications of a mixture of short- and long- lived 6s6p 3PJ fine-structure components and demonstrate distinct temperature dependencies. A dramatic decrease in the lifetime of the emission peak tentatively assigned to the most stable site with temperature is explained by a competition between the radiative and non-radiative decay paths of the 6s6p 3P1 state. The mechanism of the latter can be attributed to electron–phonon coupling as confirmed by a model of the temperature-dependence of the lifetime.The electronic transitions of ytterbium atoms in a solid Xe matrix grown at 4.8 K are investigated. Absorption bands are detected in the regions of the gas-phase 6s2 1S0 → 4f135d6s2 and 6s2 1S0 → 6s6p 1P1 transitions. Both bands indicate that Yb atoms occupy multiple trapping sites, of which three are identified. Emission induced by the 6s2 1S0 → 6s6p 1P1 excitation is found to be concentrated entirely in the region of the 6s6p 3PJ → 6s2 1S0 decay, whereas the singlet emission is completely quenched. Multiple emission peaks are observed and the effects of annealing and prolonged irradiation on their amplitudes are found to be significant and are interpreted as a consequence of Yb population transfer from one type of site to another. Modeling of the ground-state site structure and stability predicts three Yb/Xe occupation types, substitutional (ss), tetravacancy (tv) and hexavacancy (hv), in order of decreasing stability. Their tentative associations with observed absorption and emission features are discu...

Isotopic variation of parity violation in atomic ytterbium

We report on measurements of atomic parity violation, made on a chain of ytterbium isotopes with mass numbers A=170, 172, 174, and 176. In the experiment, we optically excite the 6s2 1S0 -> 5d6s 3D1 transition in a region of crossed electric and magnetic fields, and observe the interference between the Stark- and weak-interaction-induced transition amplitudes, by making field reversals that change the handedness of the coordinate system. This allows us to determine the ratio of the weak-interaction-induced electric-dipole (E1) transition moment and the Stark-induced E1 moment. Our measurements, which are at the 0.5% level of accuracy for three of the four isotopes measured, allow a definitive observation of the isotopic variation of the weak-interaction effects in an atom, which is found to be consistent with the prediction of the Standard Model. In addition, our measurements provide information about an additional Z' boson.

Kinetics of two-pulsed photon echo formed on the 0–1 transition: isotropic and anisotropic collisions

The photon echo formed at the intercombination (6s2) 1S0 (6s6p) 3P1 (type 0–1) transition of ytterbium atoms 174Yb by two pulses of resonance radiation was investigated as a function of the time delay between exciting pulses (the photon echo kinetics). For exciting radiation pulses of the same linear polarization in the delay region 70–250 ns, the photon echo kinetics is close to the exponential one both in pure ytterbium and in its mixtures with buffer gases Ar and Xe. The relaxation cross sections were determined for all three cases, taking into account the isotopic composition of xenon and ytterbium. For the first time, the complex nonmonotonous kinetics of the collision-induced photon echo was observed in the same mixtures for the forming pulses of linear mutually orthogonal polarization. The relative efficiency of buffer atoms Yb (other isotopes than 174Yb), Xe and Ar in the collision-induced photon echo formation was obtained.

A frequency-stabilized light source at 399 nm using an Yb hollow-cathode lamp

We demonstrate a diode laser system operating at 399 nm that is stabilized to the 6s2 1S0–6s6p 1P1 electric dipole transition in ytterbium (Yb) atoms in a hollow-cathode lamp. The frequency stability of the laser reached 1.1 × 10−11 at an averaging time of τ = 1 s. We performed an absolute frequency measurement using an optical frequency comb and determined that the absolute frequency of the laser stabilized to the 1S0–1P1 transition in 174Yb was 751 526 522.26(9) MHz. We also investigated several systematic frequency shifts while changing some of the light source parameters and measured several isotope shifts. The measured laser frequency will provide useful information regarding the practical use of the frequency-stabilized light source at 399 nm.

Magic wavelengths for the 6s2 1S0 - 6s6p 3P1 transition in ytterbium atom

SynopsisThe electric-dipole dynamic polarizabilities of the 6s2 1S0 and 6s6p 3P1 states of Yb atom are calculated by using the CI+MBPT method. Magic wavelengths for the 6s2 1S0 - 6s6p 3P1 transition are identified.

Collision induced two-pulsed photon echo at the transition 0–1 in a weak longitudinal magnetic field

It was shown experimentally in ytterbium vapour at the transition (6s2) 1S0 (6s6p) 3P1 (type ), that the weak longitudinal magnetic field destroys the collision induced two-pulsed photon echo generated in a gas mixture with heavy atomic buffer; in agreement with theoretical prediction.

Magic Wavelengths of the Optical Clock Transition at 1107 nm of Barium**Supported by the Scientific Research Program Funded by Shaanxi Provincial Education Department under Grant No 14JK1402.

Magic wavelengths for laser trapping of barium atoms in the optical lattices are calculated with considering the optical clock transition at 1107 nm between the 6s2 1S0 state and 6s5d 3D1 state. Theoretical calculation shows that there are several magic wavelengths with the linearly polarized trapping laser. The trap depths of the optical lattice and the slope of light shift difference with different magic wavelengths are also calculated. Some of these magic wavelengths are selected and recommended as potentially suitable magic wavelengths for the optical lattice trapping laser.

Collision-induced photon echo in ytterbium vapour at the transition 0–1: magnetic field effect

Collision-induced photon echo generated in ytterbium vapour at the transition (6s2) 1S0 ↔(6s6p) 3P1 (transition of the type 0 ↔ 1) was investigated in the presence of the longitudinal magnetic field strength between zero and 5.6 G. For the weak magnetic fields, not over 0.27 G, the collision-induced echo signal decreases with magnetic field increase. Further increase of the magnetic field strength reveals oscillatory behavior of the echo signal. Experimental results are in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.

Polarization of the stimulated photon echo in ytterbium vapour at the transition 0 ↔ 1

Experimental results were obtained at the inter-combination transition (6s2) 1S0 ↔ (6s6p) 3P1 (type 0 ↔ 1) of 174Y b vapour for several combinations of linear and circular polarizations of three exciting pulses. A peculiar case appears when the first pulse has linear polarization crossed with the polarizations of the second and third exciting pulses: the stimulated photon echo (SPE) does not appear in pure ytterbium; dilution of ytterbium by Xe implies a collision induced SPE with non-monotonic amplitude dependence on buffer pressure, and with polarization along the first exciting pulse. For circular polarizations, when the first exciting pulse has polarization opposite to the circular polarizations of the second and third pulses, the SPE does not appear either in pure ytterbium vapour or in its mixture with a heavy atomic buffer. SPE polarization dependence on the third exciting pulse area was demonstrated. This result may be of interest for optical data processing. All the results agree with theoretical predictions.

Stimulated photon echo at the transition 0–1 in ytterbium vapour: circular polarizations

For the first time, stimulated photon echoes (SPE) generated in a gas at the transition 0↔1 by circularly polarized resonant radiation pulses were analysed both theoretically and experimentally. Experiments were performed for the inter-combination transition (6s2) 1S0↔ (6s6p) 3P1 of 174Yb (type 0↔1). The SPE generated by three radiation pulses of identical circular polarizations has the same circular polarization. When the second or the third exciting radiation pulse has a circular polarization opposite to that of the other two pulses, the SPE polarization coincides with that of the oppositely polarized pulse. Finally, when the first exciting radiation pulse has a circular polarization opposite to the circular polarizations of the second pulse and third pulse, the SPE does not appear either in pure ytterbium vapour or in its mixture with a heavy atomic buffer.

The stimulated photon echo generated by linearly polarized exciting pulses at the 0–1 transition in ytterbium vapour

The polarization of the stimulated photon echo (SPE) generated in a gas at the 0↔1 transition was analysed for the first time for all combinations of three linearly polarized resonant radiation exciting pulses. Experimental results were obtained for the SPE generated at the inter-combination transition (6s2) 1S0↔(6s6p) 3P1 of 174Yb (type 0↔1). In the case where one of the exciting pulses had linear polarization crossed with that of the other two exciting pulses, the SPE polarization proved to be linear and parallel to the crossed pulse polarization. When the second and third exciting pulses had linear polarizations crossed with that of the first one, no SPE in pure ytterbium appeared. For high dilution of ytterbium with the Xe atomic buffer, a collision-induced SPE appeared and showed a non-monotonic amplitude dependence on the buffer pressure and a polarization coinciding with the polarization of the first pulse.

Photon echo generated at the transition 0–1 in ytterbium vapor

Photon echo generated at the inter-combination transition (6s2) 1S0 − (6s6p) 3P1 of 174Yb was investigated for pure ytterbium vapor and for its mixtures with atomic buffers. In pure ytterbium vapor, the polarization of photon echoes at this 0–1 transition coincides with the polarization of the second exciting pulse for all combinations of linear and circular polarizations of exciting radiation pulses. Photon echo does not appear either for linear orthogonal or for opposite circular polarizations of exciting pulses in pure ytterbium. In mixtures of ytterbium with atomic buffers (Kr, Xe), collision induced photon echo arises only for exciting pulses of linear orthogonal polarizations, its power is essentially less than that of the ordinary echo generated by pulses with parallel polarizations in the same mixture. Polarization of collision induced echo is linear, and it coincides with polarization of the first exciting pulse. Experimental results agree with calculations, and they confirm that the collision induced photon echo at this transition arises exclusively due to anisotropy of depolarizing collisions.