Rydberg Spectroscopy in an Optical Lattice: Blackbody Thermometry for Atomic Clocks

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Ovsiannikov, Vitali D, Derevianko, Andrei, Gibble, Kurt
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 15.07.2011
• Subjects: Atomic clocks; Black body radiation; Metastable state; Optical lattices; Physics - Atomic Physics; Physics - Quantum Physics; Quantum numbers; Rydberg states; Spectrum analysis; Strontium; Ytterbium
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1107.3169

We show that optical spectroscopy of Rydberg states can provide accurate {\em in situ} thermometry at room-temperature. Transitions from a metastable state to Rydberg states with principal quantum numbers of 25 to 30 have 200 times larger fractional frequency sensitivities to blackbody radiation than the Strontium clock transition. We demonstrate that magic wavelength lattices exist for both Strontium and Ytterbium transitions between the metastable and Rydberg states. Frequency measurements of Rydberg transitions with \(10^{-16}\) accuracy provide \(10 \, \mathrm{mK}\) resolution and yield a blackbody uncertainty for the clock transition of \(10^{-18}\).