Laser spectroscopy of $^{176}$Lu$^+$

TL;DR

This study performs high-resolution laser spectroscopy on $^{176}$Lu$^+$, measuring hyperfine structures and optical frequencies of key clock transitions, which aids in understanding nuclear moments and improving atomic clock precision.

Contribution

The paper provides detailed hyperfine structure measurements of $^{176}$Lu$^+$, including transitions relevant for clock operation and insights into nuclear moments.

Findings

Hyperfine structures of four low-lying states are measured with tens of kHz resolution.

Optical frequencies of clock transitions are precisely determined.

Measurements may reveal higher order nuclear moments like magnetic octupole and electric hexadecapole.

Abstract

We perform high resolution spectroscopy on $^{176}$Lu$^+$ including the $^1S_0\leftrightarrow{^3}D_1$ and $^1S_0\leftrightarrow{^3}D_2$ clock transitions. Hyperfine structures and optical frequencies relative to the $^1S_0$ ground state of four low lying excited states are given to a few tens of kHz resolution. This covers the most relevant transitions involved in clock operation with this isotope. Additionally, measurements of the $^3D_2$ hyperfine structure may provide access to higher order nuclear moments, specifically the magnetic octupole and electric hexadecapole moments.