Observation of the S01–P03 transition in atomic ytterbium for optical clocks and qubit arrays

Abstract

We report an observation of the weak 6S01–6P03 transition in Yb171,173 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 S01 and P03 states of Yb atoms in an optical lattice.