Extended precision measurements of a strontium single ion optical frequency standard and its development as an optical atomic clock

We describe the recent advances of the NRC single ion based optical frequency standard using the 445-THz S-D transition in
⁸⁸
Sr
⁺
. Laser cooled confinement and probing of the clock transition has been obtained for periods exceeding 24 hours showing high levels of stability. Spectral resolutions better than 5 Hz at 445 THz have been obtained. Work is described on the development of an improved ion trap system and the continuous linkage of the optical frequency to the RF domain using a fiber based frequency comb.