Nd$^+$ isotope shift measurements in a cryogenically-cooled neutral plasma

Abstract

We report measurements of the isotope shifts of two transitions ($4f^46s\rightarrow [25044.7]^{\circ}_{7/2}$ and $4f^46s\rightarrow [25138.6]^{\circ}_{7/2}$) in neodymium ions (Nd$^+$) with hundredfold improved accuracy, using laser spectroscopy of a cryogenically-cooled neutral plasma. The isotope shifts were measured across a set of five spin-zero isotopes that spans a nuclear shape transition. We discuss the prospects for further improvements to the accuracy of Nd$^+$ isotope shifts using optical clock transitions, which could enable higher precision tests of King plot linearity for new physics searches.