Compact laser system for a laser-cooled ytterbium ion microwave frequency standard.

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Quantum Metrology
• Laser Spectroscopy

Background:

• Development of transportable atomic clocks is crucial for advanced navigation and communication systems.
• Precise laser control is essential for laser-cooled ion traps used in frequency standards.
• ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ offers a promising candidate for microwave frequency standards due to its suitable ground-state transition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and build a compact laser system for a transportable ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ microwave frequency standard.
• To integrate multiple laser wavelengths for ion cooling, photoionization, repumping, and state clearing.
• To demonstrate the system's functionality and explore its potential for laser stabilization using molecular absorption lines.

Main Methods:

• Development of a compact, rack-mounted laser system (6U height) integrating multiple laser outputs (369 nm, 399 nm, 935 nm, 760 nm).
• Fiber-based delivery of combined laser beams to a linear ion trap.
• Demonstration of ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ ion cooling.
• Characterization of laser frequencies relative to water vapor and oxygen absorption lines.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a compact laser system meeting the requirements for ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ frequency standard operation.
• Demonstration of efficient cooling of ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ ions using the developed laser system.
• Identification of 935 nm and 760 nm laser wavelengths as being close to water vapor and oxygen absorption lines, respectively.
• Confirmation that a ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ transition at 760 nm lies within an oxygen absorption profile.

Conclusions:

• The developed compact laser system is suitable for a transportable ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ microwave frequency standard.
• The proximity of specific laser wavelengths to molecular absorption lines provides a viable method for laser stabilization.
• This work contributes to the advancement of portable and highly accurate frequency standards.