Raman velocity filter as new tool for collinear laser spectroscopy

The velocity distribution of a hot ionic beam is filtered with a narrow stimulated Raman process to prepare a colder sub-ensemble. Using two counter-propagating, far detuned lasers, we can define a $\pi$-pulse for the resonant velocity to transfer atoms within the linewidth of the Raman resonance between the ground-states of a $\Lambda$-system. Spontaneous emission from the two single-photon resonances, as well as the ground-state decoherence induced by laser noise, diminishes the efficiency of the filter. From a comprehensive master equation, we obtain conditions for the optimal frequency pair of the lasers and evaluate the filter performance numerically, as well as analytically. If we apply this analysis to current $^{40}\text{Ca}^+$ ion experiments, we obtain a sensitivity for measuring high ion acceleration voltages on the ppm level or below.