High-accuracy optical clocks based on group-16-like highly charged ions

We identify laser-accessible transitions in group-16-like highly charged ions as candidates for high-accuracy optical clocks, including S-, Se-, and Te-like systems. For this class of ions, the ground 3PJ fine-structure manifold exhibits irregular (nonmonotonic in J) energy ordering for large enough ionization degree. We consider the | 3P2) -> | 3P0) (ground to first-excited state) electric quadrupole transition, performing relativistic many-body calculations of several atomic properties important for optical clock development. All ions discussed are suitable for production in small-scale ion sources and lend themselves to sympathetic cooling and quantum-logic readout with singly charged ions.

Automated summary

This study identifies laser-accessible transitions in highly charged ions as candidates for high-accuracy optical clocks, showcasing their importance in optical clock development.