Excitation transfer spectroscopy with two metastable 138Ba+ ions in same trap

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Quantum Information Science

Background:

• Trapped ion clocks rely on precise laser excitation of atomic transitions.
• Achieving sharp transitions with lasers is challenging for certain atomic systems.
• The D3/2-D5/2 transition in Ba+ is a key target for atomic clocks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an alternative method for exciting trapped ion clock transitions.
• To overcome limitations of laser-based excitation for specific atomic transitions.
• To explore near-field resonant energy exchange between trapped ions.

Main Methods:

• Replacing external lasers with the near-field of an adjacent ion (Ion B) in an excited state.
• Tuning the near-field frequency using differential Stark shifts induced by slight ion displacement.
• Applying a small bias voltage to move the ion center of mass out of the trap center.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated resonant energy exchange between two Ba+ ions.
• Achieved energy exchange rates significantly faster than the natural lifetime of metastable states.
• Proposed a method for detecting this resonant energy exchange.

Conclusions:

• Near-field resonant energy exchange offers a novel approach for trapped ion clock excitation.
• This method bypasses the need for high-precision external lasers.
• Potential for enhanced precision and stability in atomic clocks.