Precise measurement of the Stark shift of the lithium<i>D</i>1 line

Abstract

The dc Stark shift of the lithium D1 line has been observed using two visible diode lasers and an atomic beam. A heterodyne signal obtained from the two lasers permits a well-calibrated, high-precision measurement to be made. The scalar shift is found to be 4.6216(21) kHz/(kV/cm${)}^{2}$. We believe this result to be the most precise Stark shift measurement reported thus far.