Photonics Research, Volume. 13, Issue 1, 201(2025)

Precise spectroscopy of metastable Li+ using the optical Ramsey technique in support of time dilation tests

Peng-Peng Zhou1,2、†, Shao-Long Chen1,3、†, Cheng-Gang Qin4, Xu-Rui Chang1,5, Zhi-Qiang Zhou1,5, Wei Sun1,6, Yao Huang1,3, Ke-Lin Gao1,3,8、*, and Hua Guan1,3,7,9、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
  • 2Information Engineering University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
  • 3Key Laboratory of Time Reference and Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430206, China
  • 4MOE Key Laboratory of Fundamental Physical Quantities Measurement & Hubei Key Laboratory of Gravitation and Quantum Physics, PGMF and School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
  • 5University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • 6Key Laboratory of Green and High-end Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
  • 7Wuhan Institute of Quantum Technology, Wuhan 430206, China
  • 8e-mail: klgao@wipm.ac.cn
  • 9e-mail: guanhua@wipm.ac.cn
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    Figures & Tables(12)
    Schematic of the experimental setup. The four spatially separated traveling waves are generated using two cat’s eye reflectors. The ion speed is determined using a retarding field energy analyzer (RFEA). The laser frequency is measured with an optical frequency comb (OFC) referenced to an H-maser.
    (Left) Distribution of data for the absolute frequency of the 23S1(F=5/2)−23P2(F=7/2) transition on a single day. (Right) Histogram illustrating the data distribution, with the blue line representing the Gaussian fit.
    Plot illustrating the ion energy distribution measured via RFEA. Black dots represent variations in ion beam current, measured by the MCP, in response to changes in the retarding field potential voltage. The red dots and line depict the first-order derivative of the black points and its corresponding Gaussian fit curve.
    Measured frequency for the transition from 23S1(F=5/2) to 23P2(F=7/2) in Li7+ on different dates. Each data point represents an average value derived from several hundred measurements conducted within a single day, and the error bars shown encompass both statistical and systematic uncertainties. The gray shading denotes the uncertainty range associated with the final result.
    Ramsey interference fringe spectra obtained according to the scheme shown in Fig. 1.
    Experimental setup for alignment of a cat’s eye retroreflector using interferometry.
    Average frequency of the spectrum, resulting from counter-propagating probe lasers, varies with the frequency difference between them. This average frequency, plotted on the vertical axis, directly corresponds to the absolute frequency. The red line in the graph represents a linear relationship between these variables, with a slope of approximately 34 kHz per MHz.
    Variation of spectroscopy frequency with probe laser power. Only statistical uncertainty is included.
    Dependence of the measured frequency on the probe polarization. Only statistical uncertainty is included.
    Dependence of the measured frequency on the laser linear polarization angle. Only statistical uncertainty is included.
    • Table 1. Uncertainty Budget for the Determination of the Transition Frequency from 23S1(F=5/2) to 23P2(F=7/2) in 7Li+ (in kHz)

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      Table 1. Uncertainty Budget for the Determination of the Transition Frequency from 23S1(F=5/2) to 23P2(F=7/2) in 7Li+ (in kHz)

      SourceUncertainty
      Statistics11
      Residual first-order Doppler effect102
      Second-order Doppler effecta170
      Quantum interference9
      Zeeman effect4
      Power dependence15
      Frequency measurement6
      Total199
    • Table 2. α^ Parameter from Different Sources

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      Table 2. α^ Parameter from Different Sources

      α^Reference
      (0.7±2.2)×107[33]
      (4.8±8.4)×108[20]
      (1.3±2.0)×108[14]
      (0.38±1.06)×108[21]
      (3±15)×108This work with Ref. [33]
      (10.0±9.9)×108This work with Ref. [20]
      (2.9±2.0)×108This work with Ref. [14]
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    Peng-Peng Zhou, Shao-Long Chen, Cheng-Gang Qin, Xu-Rui Chang, Zhi-Qiang Zhou, Wei Sun, Yao Huang, Ke-Lin Gao, Hua Guan, "Precise spectroscopy of metastable Li+ using the optical Ramsey technique in support of time dilation tests," Photonics Res. 13, 201 (2025)

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    Paper Information

    Category: Spectroscopy

    Received: Aug. 22, 2024

    Accepted: Nov. 9, 2024

    Published Online: Dec. 26, 2024

    The Author Email: Ke-Lin Gao (klgao@wipm.ac.cn), Hua Guan (guanhua@wipm.ac.cn)

    DOI:10.1364/PRJ.538659

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