Electric quadrupole moment of the $4d ^{2}D_{5/2}$ state in $^{88}Sr^{+}$ and its role in an optical frequency standard

Abstract

The electric quadrupole moment for the $4d ^2D_{5/2}$ state of $\mathrm{^{88}Sr^+}$, one of the most important candidates for an optical clock, has been calculated using the relativistic coupled-cluster theory. The result of the calculation is presented and the important many-body contributions are highlighted. The calculated electric quadrupole moment is $(2.94\pm0.07)ea_{0}^{2}$, where $a_{0}$ is the Bohr radius and $e$ the electronic charge while the measured value is $(2.6\pm0.3)ea_{0}^{2}$. This is so far the most accurate determination of the electric quadrupole moment for the above mentioned state.