Abstract
The electric octupole transition in has been detected by observing quantum jumps in a single laser cooled ion, stored in an electrodynamic trap. The transition frequency is 642 116 785.3(0.7) MHz . Consideration of the transition rate and laser parameters implies a level lifetime of 3700 days. This is the first time an atomic transition has been driven. This transition has applications as an optical frequency reference.
- Received 14 August 1996
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.78.1876
©1997 American Physical Society