Natural Linewidth of the 401-nm Laser-Cooling Transition in Er I

Published

June 20, 2006

Author(s)

Jabez J. McClelland

Abstract

A measurement of the natural linewidth of the 401 nm 4f¹²6s² (³H₆) {rarr} 4f¹²(³H)6s6p (¹P^o₁) (6,1)₇^o transition in Er I is presented. Using laser-induced fluorescence in an atomic beam, a linewidth of (36.0 {plus or minus} 1.2) MHz is observed, a value that differs significantly from the accepted literature value of 28 MHz. This measurement provides an accurate determination of an essential laser cooling parameter that plays a central role in the development of novel laser cooling applications using Er atoms.

Citation

Physical Review A (Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics)

Volume

73

Issue

6

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

atomic linewidth, erbium, laser cooling, rare earth, transition rate

Citation

McClelland, J. (2006), Natural Linewidth of the 401-nm Laser-Cooling Transition in Er I, Physical Review A (Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics) (Accessed October 22, 2025)