Mainz 2026 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 25: Precision Spectroscopy of Atoms and Ions II (joint session A/Q)

Q 25.6: Talk

Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 12:30–12:45, N 3

Two-Dimensional Magneto-Optical Trap as a Cold Atomic Beam Source for High-Precision Spectroscopy on Lithium — •Gregor Schwendler, Tim Redelbach, Hannah Jost, and Randolf Pohl — Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, QUANTUM, Institut für Physik & Exzellenzcluster PRISMA⁺, Mainz, Germany.

Lithium is of great interest in atomic and nuclear physics studies. The determination of the isotope shift from spectroscopy of the D-lines has shown inconsistencies, which could be partially explained by quantum interference effects.[1] We aim to further reduce systematic uncertainties in the spectroscopy by using a cold atomic beam extracted from a high-flux two-dimensional magneto-optical trap[2], which drastically reduces the first-order Doppler shift. Additionally, the use of an active fiber-based retroreflector[3] further suppresses systematics by producing retracing wavefronts in the spectroscopy beam. Our cold atomic beam provides an atomic flux on the order of 10⁹ atoms/s, sufficient for high-precision spectroscopy, and a tunable mean velocity in the range of 50 to 100 m/s. I will report on the current results and the status of the experiment.

[1] Brown et al., Physical Review A 87.3 (2013), p. 032504.
[2] Tiecke et al., Physical Review A 80.1 (2009), p. 013409.
[3] Beyer et al., Optics Express 24.15 (2016), p. 17470.

Keywords: Cold Atomic Beam; Lithium Spectroscopy; Magneto-Optical Trap