# Part-per-billion measurement of the $4^2S_{1/2} \rightarrow 3^2D_{5/2}$ electric quadrupole transition isotope shifts between $^{42,44,48}$Ca$^+$ and $^{40}$Ca$^+$

## TL;DR

This paper reports ultra-precise measurements of isotope shifts in calcium ions' electric quadrupole transition, achieving ppb accuracy, which enhances the testing of theoretical models and aids in searching for new physics.

## Contribution

It introduces a high-resolution laser spectroscopy method using frequency sidebands to measure isotope shifts with unprecedented precision in calcium ions.

## Key findings

- Measured isotope shifts with sub-ppb accuracy.
- Systematic uncertainties eliminated via simultaneous excitation.
- Provides benchmark data for theoretical calculations and new physics searches.

## Abstract

We report a precise measurement of the isotope shifts in the $4^2$S$_{1/2} \rightarrow 3^2$D$_{5/2}$ electric quadrupole transition at 729~nm in the $^{40 - 42,44,48}$Ca$^+$. The measurement has been made via high-resolution laser spectroscopy of co-trapped ions, finding measured shifts of 2,771,872,467.6(7.6), 5,340,887,394.6(7.8), and 9,990,382,525.0(4.9) Hz between $^{42,44,48}$Ca$^+$and $^{40}$Ca$^+$, respectively. By exciting the two isotopes simultaneously using frequency sidebands derived from a single laser systematic uncertainties resulting from laser frequency drifts are eliminated. This permits far greater precision than similar previously published measurements in other alkaline-earth systems. The resulting measurement precision provides a benchmark for tests of theoretical isotope shift calculations, and also offers a step towards probing New Physics via isotope shift spectroscopy.