Zero crossings of the differential scalar polarizability of the Ba + clock transition

2026/03/11 by N. Jayjong, N Jayjong, M. D. K. Lee +5
Physics and Astronomy · #physics.atom-ph #quant-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/wdgl-2vhf

published as Phys. Rev. A 114, 012804, 2026 · 8 pages, 5 figures

openalex publication_date 2026/06/11 · openalex created_date 2026/06/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28 · arxiv created 2026/07/29 · arxiv updated 2026/07/30

Abstract

The differential scalar polarizability Δα₀(ω) of the Ba⁺ S_1/2-to-D_5/2 clock transition has a zero crossing near 481nm, which is measured to be 623.603 13(17) THz. From this measurement, we infer a ratio of reduced matrix elements ⟨ P_3/2‖r‖S_1/2⟩/⟨ P_1/2‖r‖S_1/2⟩=1.411 81(13), which provides a stringent test of atomic structure calculations and experimental determination of matrix elements. Additionally, it enables the construction of an accurate approximation to Δα₀(ω), valid for frequencies up to 450 THz, with only one reduced matrix element, ⟨ P_1/2‖r‖S_1/2⟩, appearing in the model's parameterization. We discuss the achievable accuracy of the model, the application to the assessment of blackbody radiation (BBR) shifts in ion-based clocks, and the applicability of the approach to other alkaline-earth ions.

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