T. Udem et al., Absolute frequency measurements of the Hg+ and Ca optical clock transitions with a femtosecond laser, PHYS REV L, 86(22), 2001, pp. 4996-4999
The frequency comb created by a femtosecond mode-looked laser and a microst
ructured fiber is used to phase coherently measure the frequencies of both
the Hg+ and Ca optical standards with respect to the SI second. We find the
transition frequencies to be f(Hg) = 1 064 721 609 899 143(10) Hz and fc,
= 455 986 240 494 158(26) Hz. respectively. In addition to the unprecedente
d precision demonstrated here, this work is the precursor to all-optical at
omic clocks based on the Hg+ and Ca standards. Furthermore, when combined w
ith previous measurements, we find no time variations of these atomic frequ
encies within the uncertainties of /(partial derivativef(Ca)/partial deriva
tivet)/f(Ca)/ less than or equal to 8 X 10(-14) yr(-1) and /(partial deriva
tivef(Hg)/partial derivativet)/f(Hg)/ less than or equal to 30 X 10(-14) yr
(-1).