SPECTROSCOPY OF 176LU+ USING AN ION TRAP

Abstract

Singly-ionized lutetium is a promising new atomic clock candidate with the potential for clock operation with large ion crystals and lower sensitivity to external electro-magnetic fields. So far research has focussed on the odd isotope 175Lu+ owing to its high natural abundance. However, the even isotope 176Lu+ is more desirable because of the availability of mF = 0 Zeeman states. In this work we report the trapping of 176Lu+ in a linear Paul trap and the first spectroscopic measurements of the atomic structure relevant to clock operation. Measurements of the hyperfine splitting of the 3P1, 3D1 and 3D2 states are given, along with measurements of relevant optical frequencies. This work provides a valuable reference point for future clock studies with the 176Lu+ isotope.