Driving the 5D$_{5/2}$ to 6P$_{1/2}$ transition of Barium 138 ions

POSTER

Abstract

We present our efforts to drive the 5D$_{5/2}$ to 6P$_{1/2}$ transition of Barium-138 ions. Ytterbium is the only element in which a similarly forbidden transition has been observed: an electric octupole transition with a subhertz linewidth connects the ground state to a metastable state [1]. In Barium, the transition connects the metastable 5D$_{5/2}$ state to the short-lived 6P$_{1/2}$ state, so the natural linewidth is much broader. Measurements were performed on a single Doppler-cooled ion in a linear Paul trap. We drive the transition with a frequency stabilized external cavity diode laser of nominal wavelength 686nm, with accuracy better than 20MHz. Detection is facilitated by a laser at 1762nm which takes the ion from the ground state to the 5D$_{5/2}$ level. To date, we have not found significant evidence of a driven transition, suggesting that it is too weak to be excited by laser intensities on the order of 10W/cm$^{2}$ over an integration times of 10s. \\[4pt] [1] M. Roberts \textit{et al}., Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{78,} 1876 (1997).

Authors

  • Erik Josberger

    University of Washington

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory

  • A. Knecht

    Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, School of EECS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, Oregon Health and Science University, Linfield College, Purdue University, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Montana State University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington, Cornell University, Philipps-University, 35032 Marburg, Germany, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, Physics Department, SUNY Binghamton, Physics Department, Oregon State University, Argonne National Laboratory