We report on precision spectroscopy of the 6s^{2} ^{1}S_{0}→6s6p ^{3}P_{1} intercombination line of mercury in the deep ultraviolet, by means of a frequency-comb referenced, wavelength-modulated, saturated absorption technique. This method allowed us to perform sub-Doppler investigations with an absolute frequency axis at 254 nm, while ensuring a relatively high signal-to-noise ratio. The absolute line center frequencies of the ^{200}Hg and ^{202}Hg bosonic isotopes were measured with a global uncertainty of 8 and 15 kHz (namely, 6.8×10^{-12} and 1.3×10^{-11}, in relative terms), respectively, the statistical and systematic components being significantly reduced as compared to past determinations. This remarkable result was achieved also thanks to an in-depth study of the ac Stark effect. Furthermore, we found the most accurate ^{200}Hg-^{202}Hg isotope shift ever obtained before, namely, 5 295 57 0±15_{stat}±8_{syst}  kHz.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.213001DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

^{200}hg ^{202}hg
8
comb-referenced doppler-free
4
doppler-free spectrometry
4
spectrometry ^{200}hg
4
^{202}hg intercombination
4
intercombination 254 nm
4
254 nm report
4
report precision
4
precision spectroscopy
4
spectroscopy 6s^{2}
4

Similar Publications

Soils accumulate anthropogenic mercury (Hg) from atmospheric deposition to terrestrial ecosystems. However, possible reemission of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) back to the atmosphere as well as downward migration of Hg with soil leachate influence soil sequestration of Hg in ways not sufficiently understood in global biogeochemical models. Here, we apply fallout radionuclide (FRN) chronometry to understand soil Hg dynamics by revisiting the METAALICUS experiments 20 years after enriched isotope tracers (Hg, Hg, Hg, and Hg) were applied to two boreal watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Review of stable mercury isotopes in ecology and biogeochemistry.

Sci Total Environ

May 2020

Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, South Korea.

Due to the advent of cold vapor-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CV-MC-ICP-MS) in the past two decades, many research groups studying mercury (Hg) biogeochemistry have integrated stable Hg isotopes into their research. Currently, >200 studies using this technique have been published and this has greatly enhanced our understanding of the Hg biogeochemical cycle beyond what Hg concentration and speciation analyses alone can provide. These studies are largely divided into two groups: (i) controlled experiments investigating fractionation of Hg isotopes and refining tools of isotopic analyses, and (ii) studies of natural variations of Hg isotopes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We report the measurement of the absolute frequencies of the 6s S-6s6p P transition (253.7 nm) and the relevant isotope shifts in five mercury isotopes  Hg,  Hg,  Hg,  Hg, and  Hg. The Doppler-free saturated absorption measurements were performed in an atomic vapour cell at room temperature with a four-harmonic generated (FHG) continuous-wave (cw) laser digitally locked to the atomic transition.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study presents the first measurement of Hg stable isotope fractionation during gas-phase oxidation of Hg(0) vapor by halogen atoms (Cl(•), Br(•)) in the laboratory at 750 ± 1 Torr and 298 ± 3 K. Using a relative rate technique, the rate coefficients for Hg(0)+Cl(•) and Hg(0)+Br(•) reactions are determined to be (1.8 ± 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Tibetan Plateau (TP), known as the "Third Pole", is a critical zone for atmospheric mercury (Hg) deposition. Increasing anthropogenic activities in the globe leads to environmental changes, which may affect the loading, transport and deposition of Hg in the environment. However, the deposition history and geochemical cycling of Hg in the TP is still uncertain.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!