Prospect for a Ca/sup +/ optical frequency/wavelength standard

An optical frequency/wavelength standard using the high line Q/sup 2/S/sub 1/2/-/sup 2/D/sub 5/2/ transition of Ca/sup +/ confined in a RF trap and laser cooled is discussed according to the following points: optical excitation scheme to cool the ions and probe the clock transition of an odd isotope of Ca/sup +/ and feasibility of the production of the optical excitations from laser diodes.<
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