Measurement of linear stark interference in 199Hg.

We present measurements of Stark interference in the (61)S(0)→6(3)P(1) transition in (199)Hg, a process whereby a static electric field E mixes magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole couplings into an electric dipole transition, leading to E-linear energy shifts similar to those produced by a permanent atomic electric dipole moment (EDM). The measured interference amplitude, a(SI) = (a(M1) + a(E2)) = (5.8 ± 1.5) × 10(-9) (kV / cm)(-1), agrees with relativistic, many-body predictions and confirms that earlier central-field estimates are a factor of 10 too large. More importantly, this study validates the capability of the (199)Hg EDM search apparatus to resolve nontrivial, controlled, and sub-nHz Larmor frequency shifts with EDM-like characteristics.

Improved limit on the permanent electric dipole moment of 199Hg.

We report the results of a new experimental search for a permanent electric dipole moment of 199Hg utilizing a stack of four vapor cells. We find d(199Hg)=(0.49+/-1.29_{stat}+/-0.76_{syst})x10;{-29} e cm, and interpret this as a new upper bound, |d(199Hg)|<3.1x10;{-29} e cm (95% C.L.). This result improves our previous 199Hg limit by a factor of 7, and can be used to set new constraints on CP violation in physics beyond the standard model.

Observation of the 1S0-3P0 transition in atomic ytterbium for optical clocks and qubit arrays.

We report an observation of the weak 6 1S0-6 3P0 transition in (171,173)Yb as an important step to establishing Yb as a primary candidate for future optical frequency standards, and to open up a new approach for qubits using the 1S0 and 3P0 states of Yb atoms in an optical lattice.

Optical clocks based on ultranarrow three-photon resonances in alkaline Earth atoms.

A sharp resonance line that appears in three-photon transitions between the 1S0 and 3P0 states of alkaline earth and Yb atoms is proposed as an optical frequency standard. This proposal permits the use of the even isotopes, in which the clock transition is narrower than in proposed clocks using the odd isotopes and the energy interval is not affected by external magnetic fields or the polarization of trapping light. With this method, the width and the rate of the clock transition can, in principle, be continuously adjusted from the MHz level to sub-mHz without loss of signal amplitude by varying the intensities of the three optical beams. Doppler and recoil effects can be eliminated by proper alignment of the three optical beams or by point confinement in a lattice trap. Light-shift effects on the clock accuracy can be limited to below a part in 10(18).

rf Spectroscopy with a single Ba+ ion.

We have employed the method of shelving to measure Zeeman resonances of a single trapped Ba+ ion. We use optical pumping to place the ion in a selected magnetic sublevel of either the 6S(1/2) ground state or the 5D(3/2) metastable state. The ion is exposed to an rf field, and a probing/shelving mechanism detects whether spin-flip transitions have taken place. We have observed rf transitions with linewidths of 15 Hz, limited by magnetic-field noise. We have also observed the shift in the Zeeman frequency when the ion is illuminated by off-resonant light. A simultaneous measurement of such light shifts in two atomic states of Ba+ will permit a precise determination of the ratio of transition matrix elements.

New limit on the permanent electric dipole moment of 199Hg.

We present the first results of a new search for a permanent electric dipole moment of the 199Hg atom using a UV laser. Our measurements give d(199Hg) = -(1.06+/-0.49+/-0.40)x10(-28)e cm. We interpret the result as an upper limit absolute value [d(199Hg)]<2.1x10(-28)e cm (95% C.L.), which sets new constraints on theta bar;(QCD), chromo-EDMs of the quarks, and CP violation in supersymmetric models.