Title :
The development of a ytterbium ion frequency standard
Author :
Siedel, D.J. ; Williams, A. ; Berends, R.W. ; Maleki, L.
Author_Institution :
Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA
Abstract :
A ytterbium ion standard currently under development for both ground and space applications is described. The ytterbium ion was chosen for its large hyperfine splitting at 12.6 GHz and the accessibility of its first excited electronic energy levels with light from frequency-doubled semiconductor and solid state lasers. The desired characteristics of a spaceborne instrument and the choice of ytterbium are discussed. The results of spectroscopy carried out on trapped ytterbium ions to determine means for overcoming the population trapping difficulties associated with this ion are presented
Keywords :
atomic fluorescence; frequency measurement; measurement standards; particle traps; radiation pressure (atoms); ytterbium; 12.6 GHz; 171Yb+ ion frequency standard; energy level diagram; hybrid linear trap; ion fluorescence; ion trap; large hyperfine splitting; population trapping difficulties; spaceborne instrument; spectroscopic investigations; trapped ions; Fiber lasers; Frequency; Laser excitation; Laser theory; Optical pumping; Semiconductor lasers; Space technology; Stability; Standards development; Ytterbium;
Conference_Titel :
Frequency Control Symposium, 1992. 46th., Proceedings of the 1992 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Hershey, PA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-0476-4
DOI :
10.1109/FREQ.1992.270033
