Optical spectroscopy of the clock transition in zinc

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Simon Stellmer
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 496941189

Optical atomic clocks are highly precise devices to measure time and frequency at a relative uncertainty at the 18th digit. The development of such clocks is far from being complete. Here, we suggest to assess the suitability of the element zinc as the basis of such a high-performance clock. The element zinc combines a set of very favorable properties, among them a small sensitivity towards black-body radiation and ideally suited optical transitions for fast and efficient cooling to low temperatures. From a technological perspective, some of the most important required laser wavelengths can be derived as high-harmonics from fiber lasers at telecom wavelengths. This shall allow for robust and transportable optical setups based on well-established industrial lasers sources. Such clocks are in high demand in various fields of geodesy and required for advanced synchronization purposes.In this project, we will lay the groundwork of an optical lattice clock based on zinc. For the first time, we will perform optical spectroscopy on the element zinc. To this end, atoms will be captured from a Zeeman slower, cooled on a narrow-linewidth transition, and loaded into a one-dimensional optical lattice. We will perform spectroscopy of the clock transition to determine the magic wavelength.This is a three-year project, for which we request funding of a PhD student. Further, we ask for funding of small equipment to set up the experiment.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Japan, Netherlands
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Florian Schreck; Dr. Atsushi Yamaguchi