Precise measurements of UV atomic lines: Hyperfine structure and isotope shifts in the 398.8 nm line of Yb

Abstract

We demonstrate a technique for frequency measurements of UV transitions with sub-MHz precision. The frequency is measured using a ring-cavity resonator whose length is calibrated against a reference laser locked to the $D_2$ line of ${}^{87}$Rb. We have used this to measure the 398.8 nm ${{}^{1}S}_0\leftrightarrow {{}^{1}P}_1$ line of atomic Yb. We report isotope shifts of all the seven stable isotopes, including the rarest isotope ${}^{168}$Yb. We have been able to resolve the overlapping ${}^{173}$Yb($F=3/2$) and ${}^{172}$Yb transitions for the first time. We also obtain high-precision measurements of excited-state hyperfine structure in the odd isotopes, ${}^{171}$Yb and ${}^{173}$Yb. The measurements resolve several discrepancies among earlier measurements.

7 pages, 6 figures

References in corpus (2)

• High-accuracy wavemeter based on a stabilized diode laser
• Precise frequency measurements of atomic transitions using a Rb-stabilized resonator

Cited by in corpus (10)

• Measurement of the Yb I ${}^1{S}_0{-}^1{P}_1$ transition frequency at 399 nm using an optical frequency comb
• Observation of the nuclear magnetic octupole moment of ${}^{173}$Yb from precise measurements of hyperfine structure in the ${{}^{3}P}_2$ state
• Paramagnetic Faraday rotation with spin-polarized ytterbium atoms
• A frequency-stabilized light source at 399 nm using an Yb hollow-cathode lamp
• Absolute frequency measurements of the $D_2$ line and fine-structure interval in ${}^{39}$K
• Absolute frequency measurements of the ${}^1{\mathrm{S}}_0\to {}^1{\mathrm{P}}_1$ transition in ytterbium
• Fast polarimetry system for the application to spin quantum non-demolition measurement
• Optical frequency metrology with a Rb-stabilized ring-cavity resonator -- Study of cavity-dispersion errors
• Comment on "Laser cooling of ${}^{173}$Yb for isotope separation and precision hyperfine spectroscopy"
• Cold beam of isotopically pure Yb atoms by deflection using 1D-optical molasses