The output of a mode-locked femtosecond laser is used for precision single-photon spectroscopy of ~(133)Cs in an atomic beam. By changing the laser's repetition rate, the cesium D_(1) (6s ~(2)S_(1/2)->6p ~(2)P_(1/2)) and D_(2) (6s ~(2)S_(1/2)->6p ~(2)P_(3/2)) transitions are detected and the optical frequencies are measured with accuracy similar to that obtained with a cw laser. Control of the femtosecond laser repetition rate by use of the atomic fluorescence is also implemented, thus realizing a simple cesium optical clock.
展开▼