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10:17
20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
Optical lattice induced light shifts in an yb atomic clock
Z W Barber1, J E Stalnaker, N D Lemke
1National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|March 21, 2008
Summary
We precisely measured light shifts in neutral ytterbium optical clocks. This research refines atomic clock accuracy by minimizing frequency uncertainties in lattice environments.
Area of Science:
- Atomic Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Metrology
Background:
- Optical atomic clocks are crucial for fundamental physics and metrology.
- Lattice-trapped neutral atoms are promising for high-precision optical clocks.
- Light shifts from trapping lasers can limit clock accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally determine the magic frequency for neutral ytterbium (Yb) lattice clocks.
- To investigate and quantify hyperpolarizability shifts in Yb lattice clocks.
- To assess the feasibility of achieving sub-10^-17 uncertainty in Yb lattice clocks.
Main Methods:
- Experimental determination of the magic frequency (nu(magic)) for the 174Yb isotope.
- Measurement of clock transition shifts near two-photon resonances to estimate hyperpolarizability.
- Analysis of lattice-induced light shifts on the (1)S(0) --> (3)P(0) transition.
Main Results:
- The magic frequency for 174Yb was found to be 394 799 475(35) MHz.
- A first-order light shift uncertainty of 0.38 Hz was achieved.
- Hyperpolarizability shift was estimated at 170(33) mHz for a specific lattice configuration.
Conclusions:
- The determined magic frequency minimizes first-order light shifts.
- Hyperpolarizability shifts can be accurately estimated and controlled.
- Yb lattice clocks show potential for achieving differential polarizability and hyperpolarizability uncertainties below 10^-17.
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