Spectroscopy of intercombination transition 1S0 – 3P1 for secondary cooling of strontium atoms

In the framework of the project aimed at creating an optical standard on cold Sr atoms we have realised sub-Doppler spectroscopy of the intercombination transition ¹S₀ – ³P₁ (689 nm) in a cell with Sr vapour and in a cloud of atoms loaded in a magneto- optical trap (MOT). By measuring Zeeman splitting of the ³P₁ level in the magnetic field of the MOT we have succeeded in fine adjustment of the MOT relative to a minimum of the magnetic field, which is necessary for successful secondary-stage cooling on the intercombination transition. In turn, absorption saturation spectroscopy in the vapour cell provides the long-term frequency stability of the second-stage cooling laser at λ = 689 nm.