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arXiv · 0907.0368

Precision spectroscopy of the 3s-3p fine structure doublet in Mg+

V. Batteiger·S. Knünz·M. Herrmann·G. Saathoff·H. A. Schüssler·B. Bernhardt·T. Wilken·R. Holzwarth·T. W. Hänsch·Th. Udem
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Abstract

We apply a recently demonstrated method for precision spectroscopy on strong transitions in trapped ions to measure both fine structure components of the 3s-3p transition in 24-Mg+ and 26-Mg+. We deduce absolute frequency reference data for transition frequencies, isotope shifts and fine structure splittings that are in particular useful for comparison with quasar absorption spectra, which test possible space-time variations of the fine structure constant. The measurement accuracy improves previous literature values, when existing, by more than two orders of magnitude.

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V. Batteiger, S. Knünz, M. Herrmann, G. Saathoff, H. A. Schüssler, B. Bernhardt, T. Wilken, R. Holzwarth, T. W. Hänsch, Th. Udem. 2009-07-02. Precision spectroscopy of the 3s-3p fine structure doublet in Mg+. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.80.022503

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