Spectroscopy (Yb)

Ytterbium is used both in the form of neutral atoms and as ytterbium ions (Yb⁺) in precision spectroscopy and quantum technologies. Due to its various stable isotopes and distinctive electronic structure, ytterbium is well suited for investigating atomic transitions, optical frequency standards, and experiments with trapped ions.

In Yb⁺ systems, several laser wavelengths are required to generate and cool the ions, control their quantum states, and depopulate unwanted long-lived states. The Yb⁺ transition at approximately 935 nm plays an important role in this context. It is used as a repumping transition to return ions from the metastable D₃/₂ state to the cooling cycle. Without this repumping process, the ions can remain in a state that is dark to the cooling transition.

Applications of ytterbium-ion spectroscopy range from high-resolution spectroscopy of individual ions and ion traps to quantum simulations, quantum computing, and high-precision frequency standards. For reliable operation, the repumping laser must precisely address the desired transition and remain stable over long measurement periods.

Our single frequency DFB laser diodes for Yb⁺ spectroscopy provide a compact laser source for repumping applications at approximately 935 nm. Use our product finder to identify the right laser diode for your ytterbium-ion spectroscopy application.