Ion optical clocks with three electronic states

Abstract

Optical clocks are the apotheosis of precision measurement, but they require frequent maintenance by scientists. The supporting laser systems are a particularly demanding component of these instruments. To reduce complexity and increase robustness we propose an optical clock with trapped alkali-like ions that use the $S_{1/2}\to D_{3/2}$ electric quadrupole transition. Compared to traditional group-II ion clocks this reduces the number of laser wavelengths required, and uses hyperfine state preparation and readout techniques enabled by the nuclear spin $I=1/2$. We consider ${}^{225}$Ra${}^{+}$ as a candidate system for a clock with three electronic states, and discuss the potential to help realize a transportable optical clock.

6 pages, 3 figures