Abstract

Future frequency Standards based on rf or optical atomic transitions will gain much precision from laser-cooled atoms, typically accessible in magneto-optical traps and molasses. In this respect magnesium possesses an attractive V-level scheme with the possible 457-nm clock transition offering a natural linewidth of only 30 Hz and the fast and closed ¹S₀–¹P₁ two-level transition (λ = 285 nm, τ ≃ ns) offering manipulation. In the experiment described here Mg²⁴ atoms were captured in a magneto-optical trap¹ (see Fig. 1) with storage times of typically a few seconds and a density of approximately 10⁸ atoms/cm³ in a volume of (300 μm)³.

© 1993 Optical Society of America