Absolute frequency measurement of the lithium D lines: Precise determination of isotope shifts and fine-structure intervals

Das, Dipankar and Natarajan, Vasant (2007) Absolute frequency measurement of the lithium D lines: Precise determination of isotope shifts and fine-structure intervals. In: Physical Review A, 75 (5). 052508-1-052508-9.

PDF Absolute_frequency.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (492kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

We use a Rb-stabilized ring-cavity resonator to measure the frequencies of the D lines in $^{6,7}Li.$ Li spectroscopy is done by exciting a well-collimated atomic beam with a perpendicular diode laser beam and monitoring the resulting fluorescence. We obtain frequencies of 446 789 597.791(30) MHz and 446 800 132.006(25) MHz for the $D_1$ line and 446 799 650.653(60) MHz and 446 810 184.005(33) MHz for the $D_2$ line in the two isotopes. These values are consistent with earlier measurements, but represent an order-of-magnitude improvement in uncertainty. The measurements allow us to determine precisely the isotope shift in the D lines and the fine-structure interval in the $2P$ state, which resolve several discrepancies among earlier measurements. The small negative isotope shift in the interval appears inconsistent with theoretical estimates.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Physical Review A
Publisher:	American Physical Society
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to American Physical Society.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Physics
Date Deposited:	08 Aug 2007
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:38
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/11664

Actions (login required)

View Item