Theoretical Investigation of the Black-body Zeeman Shift for Microwave Atomic Clocks

TL;DR

This paper provides a detailed theoretical analysis of the black-body radiation-induced Zeeman shifts in hyperfine transitions of alkali atoms and ions, crucial for the accuracy of microwave atomic clocks.

Contribution

It offers a more precise theoretical calculation of black-body Zeeman shifts, including detailed derivations and a clear physical interpretation, enhancing understanding for atomic clock development.

Findings

Frequency shifts range from -0.977×10^{-17} to -1.947×10^{-17} for different atoms.

Results are consistent with previous work but with improved precision.

Provides detailed derivations and physical insights into the Zeeman shifts.

Abstract

With the development of microwave atomic clocks, the Zeeman shifts for the spectral lines of black-body radiation need to be investigated carefully. In this Letter, the frequency shifts of hyperfine splittings of atomic ground states due to the magnetic field of black-body radiation are reported. The relative frequency shifts of different alkali atoms and alkali-like ions, which could be candidates of microwave atomic clocks, were calculated. The results vary from $-0.977\times10^{-17}[T(K)/300]^{2}$ to $-1.947\times10^{-17}[T(K)/300]^{2}$ for different atoms considered. These results are consistent with previous work but with greater precision, detailed derivations, and a clear physical picture.