School of Physics CM/AMO/GTRI Seminar - Dr. Andrew Jayich

A constellation of optical clocks in space would open up possibilities for
fundamental physics research. To realize optical clocks on many satellites
we must have low-power, small, and robust systems - not bespoke devices,
otherwise the cost would be astronomical. To meet these demands a trapped ion
clock with integrated photonics is very appealing. We aim to lower
the requirements for integrated photonics by using transitions in the radium
ion that only require IR light.  This heavy metal at the bottom of the periodic table as appealing properties that are often overlooked.  We are using radium-225 which has the necessary nuclear spin for such a clock.  We've laser cooled this isotope and measured the ion’s hyperfine structure.  Despite radium-225’s short 15 day half-life we have
demonstrated an atomic source that is compatible with decades of continuous operation in space. We have realized an optical clock with radium-226 and are working
towards a clock with radium-225.