Observation of an Electric Octupole Transition in a Single Ion

M. Roberts, P. Taylor, G. P. Barwood, P. Gill, H. A. Klein, and W. R. C. Rowley
Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 1876 – Published 10 March 1997
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Abstract

The S1/22F7/22 electric octupole (E3) transition in 172Yb+ 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 (1σ). Consideration of the transition rate and laser parameters implies a F7/22 level lifetime of 3700 days. This is the first time an atomic E3 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

Authors & Affiliations

M. Roberts1,2, P. Taylor1,3, G. P. Barwood1, P. Gill1, H. A. Klein1, and W. R. C. Rowley1

  • 1National Physical Laboratory, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
  • 2Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
  • 3Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU, United Kingdom

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Vol. 78, Iss. 10 — 10 March 1997

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