Mercury Ion Frequency Standard : Prelimlnary Results

Summary A laboratory experiment which is aimed to evaluate the properties of a frequency standard using the hyperfine transition of stored mercury ions is descr i bed. 6 About 10 ions of 199 mercury isotope are confined in a cylindrical radiofrequency trap, The hyperfine transition at a frequency of about 40.5 Ghz is observed via optical pumping produced by the ultraviolet ligh t 194 nm which is emitted by an e I ectrode less 'Os Hg' I amp.