Measurement of the $4\: S_{1/2} \rightarrow 6 \: S_{1/2}$ transition frequency in atomic potassium via direct frequency comb spectroscopy

Abstract

We present an experimental determination of the $4 \: S_{1/2} \rightarrow 6\: S_{1/2}$ transition frequency in atomic potassium, $^{39}$K, using direct frequency comb spectroscopy. The output of a stabilized optical frequency comb was used to excite a thermal atomic vapor. The repetition rate of the frequency comb was scanned and the transitions were excited using step-wise two-photon excitation. The center of gravity frequency for the transition was found to be $\nu_\textrm{cog} = 822\, 951\, 698.09(13)$ MHz and the measured hyperfine $A$ coefficient of the $6\: S_{1/2}$ state was $21.93(11)$ MHz. The measurements are in agreement with previous values and represent an improvement by a factor of 700 in the uncertainty of the center of gravity measurement.