Ion clock and search for the variation of the fine-structure constant using optical transitions in Nd13+ and Sm15+

V. A. Dzuba, A. Derevianko, and V. V. Flambaum
Phys. Rev. A 86, 054502 – Published 30 November 2012

Abstract

We study ultranarrow 5s1/2-4f5/2 transitions in Nd13+ and Sm15+ and demonstrate that they lie in the optical region. The transitions are insensitive to external perturbations. At the same time they are sensitive to the variation of the fine structure constant α. The fractional accuracy of the frequency of the transitions can be smaller than 1019, which may provide a basis for atomic clocks of superb accuracy. Sensitivity to the variation of α approaches 1020 per year.

  • Received 20 August 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.054502

©2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

V. A. Dzuba1,2, A. Derevianko2, and V. V. Flambaum1

  • 1School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA

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Issue

Vol. 86, Iss. 5 — November 2012

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