System for high-resolution spectroscopy on laser-cooled calcium atoms

Summary form only given.High-resolution spectroscopy of calcium is attractive for several reasons and has been performed by a number of groups. A strong dipole-allowed /sup 1/S/sub 0/-/sup 3/P/sub 1/ transition at 423 nm allows laser cooling and trapping of calcium and can be accessed by diode lasers. The very narrow intercombination transition at 657 nm can be used for developing an optical frequency standard.