Laser and Millimeter Wave Spectroscopy of Ytterbium

Abstract

Using a combination of laser and millimeter wave excitations, spectroscopy of ytterbium is performed in an atomic beam, using field ionization to detect final states of the atoms. Preliminary results from this experiment are presented, including measurements of singlet-triplet mixing. The process and possible applications for ytterbium atoms prepared in circular Rydberg states, characterized by |m| = l = n − 1, are briefly discussed.