Very high Q microwave spectroscopy on trapped /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ ions: application as a frequency standard

A microwave frequency standard based on buffer-gas cooled /sup 171/Yb/sup +/ ions confined in a linear Paul trap has been demonstrated in prototype form. The standard exhibits a fractional frequency instability characterized by an Allan deviation /spl sigma//sub y/(/spl tau/)=3.7/spl times/10/sup -13//spl tau//sup -1/2/ for /spl tau/<3000 s. Microwave Ramsey fringes with a Q factor of 1.5/spl times/10/sup 13/ have been observed.<
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