A New Clock Transition with the Highest Sensitivity to $\alpha$ Variation and Simultaneous Magic Trapping Conditions with Other Clock Transitions in Yb

Abstract

Optical lattice clocks are the prospective devices that can probe many subtle physics including temporal variation of the fine structure constant ($\alpha_e$). These studies necessitate high-precision measurements of atomic clock frequency ratios to unprecedented accuracy. In contrast to the earlier claimed highest sensitive coefficient ($K$) clock transition to $\alpha_e$ in Yb [Phys. Rev. Lett. $\textbf{120}$, 173001 (2018)], we found the $4f^{14}6s6p\,(^3P_2) - 4f^{13}5d6s^{2}\,(^3P_2^*)$ transition of this atom can serve as the clock transition with the largest $K$ value (about $-$25(2)). Moreover, we demonstrate a scheme to attain simultaneous magic trapping conditions for this clock transition with the other two proposed clock transitions $4f^{14}6s^2\,(^1S_0) - 4f^{14}6s6p\,(^3P_2)$ and $4f^{14}6s^2\,(^1S_0) - 4f^{13}5d6s^{2}\,(^3P_2^*)$; also exhibiting large $K$ values. This magic condition can be realized by subjecting Yb atoms to a bias magnetic field at a particular polarization angle along the quantization axis in an experimental set up. Upon realization, it will serve as the most potential optical lattice clock to probe $\alpha_e$ variation.