Dark times in the resonance fluorescence of trapped ¹⁷¹Yb ions caused by spontaneous quantum jumps to the ²D_3/2 (F=2) state

Laboratory 4.41, Physikalisch-Technische Bendesanstalt, Postfach 3345, D-38023 Braunschweig, FRG

Received: 8 September 1995
Accepted: 18 December 1995

Abstract

The paper reports experimental investigations on ions confined in a radiofrequency Paul trap. Single ions are cooled and optically detected by laser excitation of the cycling hyperfine component of the - resonance transition. The metastable level which is rapidly populated by decay from the level is depleted by a second laser source. The resonance fluorescence signal exhibits dark periods due to a small rate of spontaneous transitions to the level which is coupled only weakly to the laser-cooling excitation cycle. Prospects for an optical frequency standard based on excitation of the narrow - transition of at a wavelength of 435 nm are discussed.