arXiv subjects

José R. Crespo López-Urrutia

Publications and source records attributed to José R. Crespo López-Urrutia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The QTF-Backbone: Proposal for a Nationwide Optical Fibre Backbone in Germany for Quantum Technology and Time and Frequency Metrology

The recent breakthroughs in the distribution of quantum information and high-precision time and frequency (T&F) signals over long-haul optical fibre networks have transformative potential for physically secure communications, resilience of timing infrastructure (such as that supporting Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)) and fundamental physics. To date, these capabilities remain confined to isolated testbeds, with quantum and T&F signals accessible, for example in Germany, to only a few institutions. In this white paper we propose the QTF Backbone: a dedicated national fibre-optic infrastructure in Germany for the networked distribution of Quantum and T&F signals using dark fibres and specialised hardware. The QTF Backbone is planned as a four-phase deployment over ten years to ensure scalable, sustainable access for research institutions and industry. The concept builds on successful demonstrations of time and frequency distribution at high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) across Europe, including PTB-MPQ links in Germany, REFIMEVE in France, and the Italian LIFT network. The QTF Backbone will enable transformative Research and Development (R&D), support a nationwide QTF ecosystem, and ensure the transition from innovation to deployment. As a national and European hub, it will position Germany and Europe at the forefront of quantum networking, as well as T&F transfer.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Parts-per-million-accurate determination of the K$α$ photoionization resonance of Be-like oxygen with resolution of its $^{16}$O-$^{18}$O isotopic shift

We determine with high accuracy the energy of the inner-shell transition $1s^2 2s^2~{}^1\mathrm{S}_0 \rightarrow 1s~2s^2~2p_{3/2}~{}^1\mathrm{P}_1$ ${}^{16}\mathrm{O}_{Kα}^{4+}$ at $554.372(3)~\mathrm{eV}$ ($λ$ = $22.36480(12)~\unicode{x212B}$) as well as its small shift of $2.2 \pm 1.3~\mathrm{meV}$ ($Δλ$ = $0.089(52)~\mathrm{m}\unicode{x212B}$) for the ${}^{18}\mathrm{O}$ isotope. This transition blends with a $K_α$ line of $\mathrm{O}^{5+}$ used in astrophysical diagnostics, potentially affecting its reliability. In contrast to our experimental uncertainty of $\pm 3~\mathrm{meV}$, advanced electronic structure predictions for this four-electron system, including quantum electrodynamic (QED) corrections on the order of $100~\mathrm{meV}$, still scatter by more than $\pm 250~\mathrm{meV}$. Ions generated and stored in an electron beam ion trap were excited at the ELETTRA synchrotron facility with monochromatic soft x rays, with photon energies corrected by an additional spectrometer. Upon resonant excitation of $\mathrm{O}^{4+}$ and subsequent autoionization, we separate the photoions of each isotope by a time-of-flight measurement. This way, we resolve soft x-ray isotopic shifts of a few meV, obtain very accurate data on an essential astrophysical ion, and test calculations down to the level of QED contributions.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2026

X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet spectra from collisions of Ar$^{18+}$ and O$^{8+}$ ions with neutrals

We present measurements of K-shell x-ray emission following charge exchange of fully ionized argon with various neutral gaseous targets at small collision energies inside an electron beam ion trap. We also resolve the principal quantum number of electron capture in extreme-ultraviolet spectra from initially bare and hydrogen-like oxygen ions held in the same trap. We analyze discrepancies between these as well as previous measurements with theoretical models based on the multichannel Landau-Zener approach.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2026

Characterization of rf field-induced a.c. Zeeman shift in multi-level highly charged ions

Characterization of the trap rf induced a.c. Zeeman shift is essential for achieving high accuracy in optical ion clocks. In this work, we demonstrate the experimental characterization of this shift using highly charged $\mathrm{Ca}^{14+}$. The transverse component of the a.c. magnetic field is measured using the Autler-Townes splitting of the equally-spaced Zeeman components of the $^{3}\mathrm{P}_1$ when the Zeeman splitting is close to resonance with the trap rf drive frequency. We observe the resulting modulation by performing quantum logic spectroscopy using the co-trapped $\mathrm{Be}^{+}$. The longitudinal component is measured from probing the $\mathrm{Be}^{+}$ magnetic field-insensitive hyperfine transition $|F=2,m_F=0 \rangle \rightarrow | F=1,m_F=0 \rangle$. We confirm the small influence of the a.c. Zeeman shift in highly charged ions. The employed techniques can easily be transferred to other multi-level atomic systems.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Enhanced One-Color-Two-Photon Resonant Ionization in Highly Charged Ions by Fine-Structure Effects

Ultraintense pulses from X-ray free-electron lasers can drive, within femtoseconds, multiple processes in the inner shells of atoms and molecules in all phases of matter. The ensuing complex ionization pathways of outer-shell electrons from the neutral to the final highly charged states make a comparison with theory enormously difficult. We resolve these pathways by preparing highly charged ions in an electron beam ion trap before exposing them to the pulsed radiation. This reveals how relativistic fine-structure effects shift electronic energies, largely compensate the core-screening potential, and enable the consecutive, resonant absorption of two quasi-monochromatic X-ray photons that would generally be unfeasible. This doubly-resonant channel enhances the efficiency of two-photon ionization by more than two orders of magnitude, dominating in this regime the nonlinear interaction of light and matter with possible application for future precision X-ray metrology.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Study of the elusive $5s-4f$ level crossing in highly charged osmium with optical transitions suitable for physics beyond the Standard Model searches

Optical transitions of highly charged ions can be very sensitive to hypothetical beyond-the-Standard-Model phenomena. Those near the $5s-4f$ level crossing, where the $5s$ and $4f$ are degenerate are especially promising. We present predictions from atomic theory and measurements of Os$^{15,16,17+}$ at an electron beam ion trap for identification of several transitions suitable for searches for a hypothetical fifth force and possible violations of local Lorentz invariance. The electric quadrupole (E2) transitions of Os$^{16+}$ that were found are especially suitable for frequency metrology due to their small linewidth of 44 $μ$Hz. Our calculations show the need for including enough inner-shell excitations to predict transition rates between configurations, which can otherwise be overestimated. Ultimately, the predicted interconfiguration transitions were too weak to be detected.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Laboratory Measurements of Ca XIX Dielectronic Recombination Satellites

We report measurements of the K$α$ emission from the astrophysically very abundant Ca XIX (He-like ion) and its satellite lines resonantly excited by dielectronic recombination (DR). We achieve an electron-energy resolution of 8 eV in a cryogenic electron beam ion trap, and determine the energies of the exciting electrons and the emitted photons up to the KLn ($n\le 8$) manifold with $0.05\%$ and $0.1\%$ respective uncertainties. For the KLL satellites, energies agree very well with our predictions using the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC) and previous state-of-the-art calculations. Our calculations also agree with our experimental direct excitation cross-sections for K$α$ within their $10\%$ uncertainty. We extract DR coefficient rates and find good agreement with values tabulated in the OPEN-ADAS database. As an application, we experimentally benchmark Ca XIX atomic data used to model high-temperature astrophysical plasmas by comparing FAC synthetic spectra with recent XRISM observations revealing the contributions of DR satellites to the Ca XIX lines.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

A cryogenic Paul trap for probing the nuclear isomeric excited state $^{229\text{m}}$Th$^{3+}$

While laser excitation of the nuclear isomeric transition in $^{229}$Th has been recently achieved for thorium atoms embedded in large-bandgap crystals, laser excitation and characterization of the nuclear transition in trapped $^{229}$Th$^{3+}$ ions has not yet been accomplished. To address these experiments, a cryogenic Paul trap setup has been designed, built, and commissioned at LMU Munich. Here, we present the specifications of the new experimental platform and demonstrate its successful operation, showing the extraction, subsequent ion-guiding, mass-purification, and trapping of $^{229}$Th$^{3+}$ and $^{229\text{m}}$Th$^{3+}$ ions from a newly designed buffer-gas stopping cell as well as of $^{88}$Sr$^{+}$ ions from laser ablation of a solid target. Further, we show sympathetic laser cooling of $^{229\text{(m)}}$Th$^{3+}$ by Doppler-cooled $^{88}$Sr$^{+}$ ions and the formation of mixed-species Coulomb crystals.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Comprehensive Laboratory Benchmark of K-shell Dielectronic Satellites of Fe XXV-XXI Ions

We report on comprehensive laboratory studies of the K-shell dielectronic recombination (DR) resonances of Fe XXV - XXI ions that prominently contribute to the hard X-ray spectrum of hot astrophysical plasmas. By scanning a monoenergetic electron beam to resonantly excite trapped Fe ions in an electron beam ion trap, and achieving a high electron-ion collision energy resolution of ~7 eV, we resolve their respective KL$n$ satellites up to n'=11. By normalization to known radiative recombination cross sections we also determine their excitation cross sections and that of the continuum with uncertainties below 15%, and verify our results with an independent normalization based on previous measurements. Our experimental data excellently confirm the accuracy and suitability of distorted-wave calculations obtained with the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC) for modeling astrophysical and fusion plasmas.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Excited-state magnetic properties of carbon-like $\text{Ca}^{14+}$

We measured the $g$-factor of the excited state $^3\text{P}_1$ in $\text{Ca}^{14+}$ ion to be $g = 1.499032(6)$ with a relative uncertainty of $4\times10^{-6}$. The magnetic field magnitude is derived from the Zeeman splitting of a $\text{Be}^+$ ion, co-trapped in the same linear Paul trap as the highly charged $\text{Ca}^{14+}$ ion. Furthermore, we experimentally determined the second-order Zeeman coefficient $C_2$ of the $^3\text{P}_0$ - $^3\text{P}_1$ clock transition. For the $m_J=0\rightarrow m_{J'}=0$ transition, we obtain $C_2 = 0.39\pm0.04\text{HzmT}^{-2}$, which is to our knowledge the smallest reported for any atomic transition to date. This confirms the predicted low sensitivity of highly charged ions to higher-order Zeeman effects, making them ideal candidates for high-precision optical clocks. Comparison of the experimental results with our state-of-the art electronic structure calculations shows good agreement, and demonstrates the significance of the frequency-dependent Breit contribution, negative energy states and QED effects on magnetic moments.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Finding the ultra-narrow $^3\!P_2 \rightarrow \, ^3\!P_0$ electric quadrupole transition in Ni$^{12+}$ ion for an optical clock

The Ni$^{12+}$ ion features an electronic transition with a natural width of only 8 mHz, allowing for a highly stable optical clock. We predict that the energy of this strongly forbidden $3s^2 3p^4\, ^3\!P_2 \rightarrow 3s^2 3p^4 \, ^3\!P_0$ electric quadrupole transition is 20081(10) cm$^{-1}$. For this, we use both a hybrid approach combining configuration interaction (CI) with coupled-cluster (CC) method and a pure CI calculation for the complete 16-electron system, ensuring convergence. The resulting very small theoretical uncertainty of only 0.05\% allowed us to find the transition experimentally in a few hours, yielding an energy of 20078.984(10) cm$^{-1}$. This level of agreement for a 16-electron system is unprecedented and qualifies our method for future calculations of many other complex atomic systems. While paving the way for a high-precision optical clock based on Ni$^{12+}$, our theory and code development will also enable better predictions for other highly charged ions and other complex atomic systems.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Hanle Effect for Lifetime Analysis: Li-like Ions

Accurate lifetime measurements of excited states of highly charged ions (HCIs) are essential for advancing diagnostics in both laboratory and astrophysical plasmas, especially in the X-ray regime. The Hanle effect, which utilizes external magnetic fields to modify photon scattering patterns, provides a powerful technique for these measurements. Previously, this method has been successfully employed for He-like ions. Here, we present a theoretical study of the prospects of the Hanle effect for lifetime determinations of Li-like ions. Our results highlight the potential for plasma diagnostics and X-ray spectral analysis.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Identification of highly-forbidden optical transitions in highly charged ions

Optical clocks represent the most precise experimental devices, finding application in fields spanning from frequency metrology to fundamental physics. Recently, the first highly charged ions (HCI) based optical clock was demonstrated using Ar$^{13+}$, opening up a plethora of novel systems with advantageous atomic properties for high accuracy clocks. While numerous candidate systems have been explored theoretically, the considerable uncertainty of the clock transition frequency for most species poses experimental challenges. Here, we close this gap by exploring quantum logic-inspired experimental search techniques for sub-Hertz clock transitions in HCI confined to a linear Paul trap. These techniques encompass Rabi excitation, an optical dipole force (ODF) approach, and linear continuous sweeping (LCS) and their applicability for different types of HCI. Through our investigation, we provide tools to pave the way for the development of exceptionally precise HCI-based optical clocks.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

High-accuracy Measurements of Core-excited Transitions in Light Li-like Ions

The transition energies of the two $1s$-core-excited soft X-ray lines (dubbed q and r) from $1s^2 2s ^1S_{1/2}$ to the respective upper levels $1s(^{2}S)2s2p(^{3}P) ^{2}P_{3/2}$ and $^{2}P_{1/2}$ of Li-like oxygen, fluorine and neon were measured and calibrated using several nearby transitions of He-like ions. The major remaining source of energy uncertainties in monochromators, the periodic fluctuations produced by imperfect angular encoder calibration, is addressed by a simultaneously running photoelectron spectroscopy measurement. This leads to an improved energy determination of 5 parts per million, showing fair agreement with previous theories as well as with our own, involving a complete treatment of the autoionizing states studied here. Our experimental results translate to an uncertainty of only 1.6\,km/s for the oxygen line qr-blend used to determine the outflow velocities of active galactic nuclei, ten times smaller than previously possible.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Hanle effect for lifetime determinations in the soft X-ray regime

By exciting a series of $1\mathrm{s}^{2}\, ^{1}\mathrm{S}_{0} \to 1\mathrm{s}n\mathrm{p}\, ^{1}\mathrm{P}_{1}$ transitions in helium-like nitrogen ions with linearly polarized monochromatic soft X-rays at the Elettra facility, we found a change in the angular distribution of the fluorescence sensitive to the principal quantum number $n$. In particular it is observed that the ratio of emission in directions parallel and perpendicular to the polarization of incident radiation increases with higher $n$. We find this $n$-dependence to be a manifestation of the Hanle effect, which served as a practical tool for lifetime determinations of optical transitions since its discovery in 1924. In contrast to traditional Hanle effect experiments, in which one varies the magnetic field and considers a particular excited state, we demonstrate a 'soft X-ray Hanle effect' which arises in a static magnetic field but for a series of excited states. By comparing experimental data with theoretical predictions, we were able to determine lifetimes ranging from hundreds of femtoseconds to tens of picoseconds of the $1\mathrm{s}n\mathrm{p}\, ^{1}\mathrm{P}_{1}$ levels, which find excellent agreement with atomic-structure calculations. We argue that dedicated soft X-ray measurements could yield lifetime data that is beyond current experimental reach and cannot yet be predicted with sufficient accuracy.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Measurement of differential collisional excitation cross sections for the K$α$ emission of He-like oxygen

We measure the energy-differential cross sections for collisional excitation of the soft X-ray electric-dipole K$α$ ($x+y+w$) emission from He-like oxygen (O VII), using an electron beam ion trap. Values near their excitation thresholds were extracted from the observed emissivity by rapidly cycling the energy of the exciting electron beam. This allows us to subtract time-dependent contributions of the forbidden $z$-line emission to the multiplet. We develop a time-dependent collisional-radiative model to further demonstrate the method and predict all spectral features. We then compare the extracted $x+y+w$ cross-sections with calculations based on distorted-wave and R-matrix methods from the literature and our own predictions using the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC). All R-matrix results are validated by our measurements of direct and resonant excitation, supporting the use of such state-of-the-art codes for astrophysical and plasma physics diagnostics.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

High-Precision Transition Energy Measurements of Neon-like Fe XVII Ions

We improve by a factor of 4-20 the energy accuracy of the strongest soft X-ray transitions of Fe XVII ions by resonantly exciting them in an electron beam ion trap with a monochromatic beam at the P04 beamline of the PETRA III synchrotron facility. By simultaneously tracking instantaneous photon-energy fluctuations with a high-resolution photoelectron spectrometer, we minimize systematic uncertainties down to 10-15 meV, or velocity equivalent $\pm\sim$5 km s$^{-1}$ in their rest energies, substantially improving our knowledge of this key astrophysical ion. Our large-scale configuration-interaction computations include more than four million relativistic configurations and agree with the experiment at a level without precedent for a 10-electron system. Thereby, theoretical uncertainties for interelectronic correlations become far smaller than those of quantum electrodynamics (QED) corrections. The present QED benchmark strengthens our trust in future calculations of many other complex atomic ions of interest to astrophysics, plasma physics, and for the development of optical clocks with highly charged ions.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Natural-linewidth measurements of the 3C and 3D soft-x-ray transitions in Ni XIX

We used the monochromatic soft-x-ray beamline P04 at the synchrotron-radiation facility PETRA III to resonantly excite the strongest $2p-3d$ transitions in neon-like Ni XIX ions, $[2p^6]_{J=0} \rightarrow [(2p^5)_{1/2}\,3d_{3/2}]_{J=1}$ and $[2p^6]_{J=0} \rightarrow [(2p^5)_{3/2}\,3d_{5/2}]_{J=1}$, respectively dubbed 3C and 3D, achieving a resolving power of 15\,000 and signal-to-background ratio of 30. We obtain their natural linewidths, with an accuracy of better than 10\%, as well as the oscillator-strength ratio $f(3C)/f(3D)$ = 2.51(11) from analysis of the resonant fluorescence spectra. These results agree with those of previous experiments, earlier predictions, and our own advanced calculations.

physics.atom-ph↗