We present progress towards a source of single ions based upon the process of Rydberg blockade. When the volume of the excitation region is smaller than the 'blockade radius', only a single atom can be excited at a time. The single atom can then be ionized and a single ion produced.

We also present results from a frequency stabilized 3-color laser system which provides narrow band excitation to high lying Rydberg states [1,2]. The system is based upon inexpensive, compact and simple to use diode lasers.

[1] "Polarization spectroscopy of an excited state transition" C. Carr et al. Opt. Lett. 37, 118 (2012) 

[2]"Three-photon electromagnetically induced transparency using Rydberg states" C. Carr et al. Opt. Lett. 37, 3858 (2012)