Intercombination Transitions Research Articles

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.

Creation of quantum-degenerate gases of ytterbium in a compact 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap setup

We report on the first experimental setup based on a 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap (MOT) scheme to create both Bose-Einstein condensates and degenerate Fermi gases of several ytterbium isotopes. Our setup does not require a Zeeman slower and offers the flexibility to simultaneously produce ultracold samples of other atomic species. Furthermore, the extraordinary optical access favors future experiments in optical lattices. A 2D-MOT on the strong (1)S0 → (1)P1 transition captures ytterbium directly from a dispenser of atoms and loads a 3D-MOT on the narrow (1)S0 → (3)P1 intercombination transition. Subsequently, atoms are transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled evaporatively to quantum degeneracy.

Controlling condensate collapse and expansion with an optical Feshbach resonance.

We demonstrate control of the collapse and expansion of an (88)Sr Bose-Einstein condensate using an optical Feshbach resonance near the (1)S(0)-(3)P(1) intercombination transition at 689 nm. Significant changes in dynamics are caused by modifications of scattering length by up to ± 10a(bg), where the background scattering length of (88)Sr is a(bg) = -2a(0) (1a(0) = 0.053 nm). Changes in scattering length are monitored through changes in the size of the condensate after a time-of-flight measurement. Because the background scattering length is close to zero, blue detuning of the optical Feshbach resonance laser with respect to a photoassociative resonance leads to increased interaction energy and a faster condensate expansion, whereas red detuning triggers a collapse of the condensate. The results are modeled with the time-dependent nonlinear Gross-Pitaevskii equation.

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.

A single-frequency, diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser at 657 nm: a frequency and intensity noise comparison with an extended cavity diode laser

We report on a continuous wave, diode-pumped, intracavity frequency-doubled Nd:YLF (yttrium lithium fluoride) single-frequency ring laser designed for high-resolution spectroscopy of the calcium intercombination transition at 657 nm. We measured its frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) noise and compared it with an extended cavity diode laser (ECDL). The Nd:YLF laser has much lower FM noise, extending to 50 kHz in comparison with 5 MHz for the ECDL, and slightly higher AM noise, transferred from the pump diode laser. This characterization is important for the design of servo-systems for frequency or intensity stabilization, and also for quantum optics experiments. A Nd:YLF laser at 657 nm can become an attractive high-power ‘local oscillator’ for a calcium optical clock, with a fundamental ‘telecom wavelength’ that can be directly used for remote transfer in optical fibers.

锶原子窄线宽互组跃迁荧光谱获得及谱线增宽因素分析

锶原子窄线宽互组跃迁荧光谱获得及谱线增宽因素分析

Fine-structure energy levels, radiative rates and lifetimes in Fe XIII

Energy levels and radiative rates for transition among the fine-structure levels of the terms belonging to the 3s23p2, 3s3p3,3s23p3d, 3p4, 3s3p23d, 3s23d2, 3p23d2, 3p33d, 3s3p3d2, 3s23p4s, 3s23p4p, 3s23p4d, 3s23p4f and 3s3p24s configurations of Si-like Iron are calculated through the CIV3 computer code using extensive configuration-interaction (CI) wavefunctions. The important relativistic effects are included through the Breit-Pauli approximation. The energy splitting of 390 fine-structure levels, oscillator strengths and radiative rates for electric-dipole-allowed and intercombination transitions and, also the lifetimes of fine-structure levels are presented and compared with available experimental and other theoretical results.

Nonlinear magneto-optical effects in Ba vapor

We report experimental measurements of linear and nonlinear magneto-optical polarization rotation on an intercombination transition of Ba vapor (λ = 791.1 nm). We observed a maximum polarization rotation angle in Faraday configuration of 15 mrad, accompanied by reduction of absorption.

Creation of UltracoldSr2Molecules in the Electronic Ground State

We report on the creation of ultracold (84)Sr(2) molecules in the electronic ground state. The molecules are formed from atom pairs on sites of an optical lattice using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP). We achieve a transfer efficiency of 30% and obtain 4×10(4) molecules with full control over the external and internal quantum state. STIRAP is performed near the narrow (1)S(0)-(3)P(1) intercombination transition, using a vibrational level of the 1(0(u)(+)) potential as an intermediate state. In preparation of our molecule association scheme, we have determined the binding energies of the last vibrational levels of the 1(0(u)(+)), 1(1(u)) excited-state and the X (1)Σ(g)(+) ground-state potentials. Our work overcomes the previous limitation of STIRAP schemes to systems with magnetic Feshbach resonances, thereby establishing a route that is applicable to many systems beyond alkali-metal dimers.

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.

Spectral lines behavior of Be I and Na I isoelectronic sequence in Debye plasma environment

We report the plasma screening effect on the first ionization potential (IP) and [He]2s2 (1S0)→[He]2s2p/2s3p allowed (P11) and inter-combination transitions (P31) in some selected Be-like ions. In addition, we investigate the spectral properties of [Ne]3s (2S1/2)→[Ne]np (2P1/2 and P23/2 for n = 3, 4) transitions in Ca X and Fe XVI ions (Na I isoelectronic sequence) and [He]3s(2S1/2)→[He]np (2P1/2 and P23/2 for n = 2, 3) transitions in Li, B II, and N IV (Li I isoelectronic sequence) under plasma environment. The state-of-the-art relativistic coupled cluster calculations using the Debye model of plasma for electron-nucleus interaction show that (a) the ionization potential decreases sharply with increasing plasma strength and (b) the gap between the [He]2s2 (1S0)→[He]2s2p(1,3P1) energy levels increases with increasing plasma potential and nuclear charge. It is found that the [He]2s2 (1S0)→2s3p (1,3P1) transition energy decreases uniformly with increasing plasma potential and nuclear charge. In other words, the spectral lines associated with 2s-2p (i.e., Δn=0, where n corresponds to principle quantum number) transitions in Be I isoelectronic sequence exhibit a blue-shift (except for Be I, B II, and the lowest inter-combination line in C III, which exhibit a red-shift), whereas those associated with 2s-3p (i.e., Δn≠0) transitions are red-shifted. Similar trend is observed in Li I and Na I isoelectronic sequences, where spectral lines associated with Δn=0 (Δn≠0) are blue-shifted (red-shifted). The effect of Coulomb screening on the spectral lines of ions subjected to plasma is also addressed.

Fine-structure energy levels, radiative rates and lifetimes in Si-like nickel

Large scale CIV3 calculations of excitation energies from ground state as well as of oscillator strengths and radiative decay rates for all electric–dipole-allowed and intercombination transitions among the fine-structure levels of the terms belonging to the (1s22s22p6)3s23p2, 3s3p3, 3p4, 3s23p3d, 3s23p4s, 3s23p4p, 3s23p4d and 3s23p4f configurations of Ni XV, are performed using very extensive configuration-interaction wave functions. The relativistic effects in intermediate coupling are incorporated by means of the Breit–Pauli Hamiltonian. In order to keep our calculated energy splittings as close as possible to the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) values, we have made small adjustments to the diagonal elements of the Hamiltonian matrices. Our calculated excitation energies, including their ordering, are in excellent agreement with the available NIST results. From our radiative decay rates we have also calculated radiative lifetimes of the fine-structure levels. It is noted that our calculated radiative rates show significant disagreement (23–30%) with those calculated by Ishikawa and Vilkas (2002 Phys. Scr.65 219) for the transitions involving the 3s3p3(5S2) level. For this high spin level 3s3p3(5S2) our calculated lifetime is found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental value of Träbert et al (1989 Z. Phys. D 11 207). In this calculation, we also predict many additional new and accurate data for various optically allowed and intercombination transitions to complete the void in the existing data.

Narrow linewidth laser system realized by linewidth transfer using a fiber-based frequency comb for the magneto-optical trapping of strontium

A narrow linewidth diode laser system at 689 nm is realized by phase-locking an extended cavity diode laser to one tooth of a narrow linewidth optical frequency comb. The optical frequency comb is phase-locked to a narrow linewidth laser at 1064 nm, which is frequency stabilized to a high-finesse optical cavity. We demonstrate the magneto-optical trapping of Sr using an intercombination transition with the developed laser system.

Jet-cooled laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of LaH: Observation of new excited electronic states

Jet-cooled laser-induced fluorescence spectra of LaH molecules in the range 15500–18700cm−1 showed four new vibronic bands. Rotational analysis confirmed a 1Σ+ symmetry for the ground state, identified a 0+(3Σ−) electronic state at 15622.9(1)cm−1 via intercombination transition observed for the first time in LaH and two more excited electronic states with Ω=1 at 17397.9(1) and 17549.0(1)cm−1. Also observed the transition of type Ω′=0–Ω″=1 with band origin at 18508.8(1)cm−1. Comparison of the present data with earlier ab initio results indicated the overestimation of calculated energies and internuclear distances for the ground and excited electronic states.

Fine-structure splitting calculation in the Ar III ion: comparison of perturbative (Breit-Pauli) and non-perturbative (MCDF-EAL) predictions

We have calculated fine structure splitting in the Ar III ion using the R-matrix method. Two independent atomic structure calculations have been performed. Results from the Breit-Pauli – and the Dirac-Atomic – R-matrix relativistic calculations are analysed comparatively. Cross sections and collision strengths are provided for selected weak and intercombination transitions, allowing explicitly for resonance effects. Convergence of the partial wave expansion is ensured by examining the partial collision strengths at collision energies up to 20 Ry. Radiative data are also reported here. We discuss all these results and compare them, when possible. For the allowed transitions, for which the resonance structure is not dominant, the two calculations are nearly identical.

Observation of transitions in strontium triplet state and its application in optical clock

In this paper we present a method of observing triplet state transitions of strontium. The intercombination transition is employed to pump the atom population from singlet-state (5s2)1S0 to triplet-state (5s5p)3P1 by a laser at 689 nm. Then 688 nm laser is also employed to divide atom population into the two other triplet-state states (5s5p)3P0 and (5s5p)3PP2. We can obtain the absorption signals of triplet-state transition (5s6s)3S1 → (5s5p)3P0 and (5s6p)3S1 → (5s5p)3P3P2. And these atomic absorption signals can be used for stabilizing the repumping light 679 nm and 707 nm directly to transition line of strontium. This method can be used in the Doppler cooling of strontium atoms.

Experimental investigation of spectrum of strontium intercombination transition

We observe the fluorescence and the saturated fluorescence spectra of (5s2)1S0(5s5p)3P1 intercombination transition of thermal strontium atomic beam. Experimental investigation of 88Sr(5s2)1S0(5s5p)3P1 intercombination transition is performed on the different experimental conditions. Our study indicates that experimental parameters affect spectra largely, including temperature, intensity of laser and scanning frequency of laser. Intensity of spectrum is reciprocal of scanning frequency of laser due to long lifetime of (5s5p)3P1 state of Sr atom. Owing to Doppler broadening, transit broadening and other experimental factors, the linewidth of (5s2)1S0(5s5p)3P1 fluorescence spectrum is far more than its natural linewidth and proportional scanning frequency of laser.

Doppler Cooling to the Quantum Limit

Doppler cooling on a narrow transition is limited by the noise of single scattering events. It shows novel features, which are in sharp contrast with cooling on a broad transition, such as a non-gaussian momentum distribution, and divergence of its mean square value close to the resonance. We have observed those features using 1D cooling on an intercombination transition in strontium, and compared the measurements with theoretical predictions and Monte Carlo simulations. We also find that for very a narrow transition, cooling can be improved using a dipole trap, where the clock shift is canceled.

Remote frequency measurement of the 1S0 → 3P1 transition in laser-cooled 24Mg

We perform Ramsey–Bordé spectroscopy on laser-cooled magnesium atoms in free fall to measure the 1S0 → 3P1 intercombination transition frequency. The measured value of 655 659 923 839 730 (48) Hz is consistent with our former atomic beam measurement (Friebe et al 2008 Phys. Rev. A 78 033830). We improve upon the fractional accuracy of the previous measurement by more than an order of magnitude to 7 × 10−14. The magnesium frequency standard was referenced to a fountain clock of the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) via a phase-stabilized telecom fiber link and its stability was characterized for interrogation times up to 8000 s. The high temperature of the atomic ensemble leads to a systematic shift due to the motion of atoms across the spectroscopy beams. In our regime, this leads to a counterintuitive reduction of residual Doppler shift with increasing resolution. Our theoretical model of the atom–light interaction is in agreement with the observed effect and allows us to quantify its contribution in the uncertainty budget.

FORBIDDEN AND INTERCOMBINATION LINES OF RR TELESCOPII: WAVELENGTH MEASUREMENTS AND ENERGY LEVELS

Ultraviolet and visible spectra of the symbiotic nova RR Telescopii are used to derive reference wavelengths for many forbidden and intercombination transitions of ions +1 to +6 of elements C, N, O, Ne, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar, K and Ca. The wavelengths are then used to determine new energy values for the levels within the ions' ground configurations or first excited configuration. The spectra were measured by the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph of the Hubble Space Telescope and the UltraViolet Echelle Spectrograph of the European Southern Observatory in 2000 and 1999, respectively, and cover 1140 to 6915 A. Particular care was taken to assess the accuracy of the wavelength scale between the two instruments. An investigation of the profiles of the emission lines reveals that the nebula consists of at least two plasma components at different velocities. The components have different densities, and a simple model of the lines' emissions demonstrates that most of the lines principally arise from the high density component. Only these lines were used for the wavelength study.