Doppler-free Yb Spectroscopy with Fluorescence Spot Technique

TL;DR

This paper introduces a straightforward fluorescence spot technique for Doppler-free spectroscopy of ytterbium isotopes, enabling precise measurement of transition frequencies, isotope shifts, and atomic velocities with improved accuracy.

Contribution

The novel fluorescence spot method simplifies Doppler-free spectroscopy and provides more accurate measurements of Yb transition frequencies and isotope shifts compared to previous techniques.

Findings

Achieved 60 MHz accuracy in transition frequency measurements.

Provided new wavelength data differing from prior publications.

Enabled determination of atomic velocities in photoionisation experiments.

Abstract

We demonstrate a simple technique to measure the resonant frequency of the 398.9 nm 1S0 - 1P1 transition for the different Yb isotopes. The technique, that works by observing and aligning fluorescence spots, has enabled us to measure transition frequencies and isotope shifts with an accuracy of 60 MHz. We provide wavelength measurements for the transition that differ from previously published work. Our technique also allows for the determination of Doppler shifted transition frequencies for photoionisation experiments when the atomic beam and laser beam are not perpendicular and furthermore allows us to determine the average velocity of the atoms along the direction of atomic beam.