We describe a configuration for a linear Paul rf ion trap. This trap can store a long string of ions with a small second-order Doppler shift, comparable to that achieved with a single ion in a quadrupole Paul trap. Crystallized strings of trapped ions, as well as more complicated structures, have been observed in the trap. We report an observation of the 40.5-GHz ground-state hyperfine interval of ${}_{}{}^{199}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Hg}_{}^{+}{}_{}{}^{}$ by microwave-optical double-resonance spectroscopy and discuss prospects for a microwave frequency standard based on a trapped string of ions.

• Received 31 October 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.45.6493