Spectroscopy and Control of Cold Holmium Atoms for Quantum Information and Quantum Optics

这个项目将展示一种内部结构非常复杂的原子物种--稀土元素Ho(Ho)的激光冷却和光学陷阱。Ho具有128维的基态流形，是所有稳定原子同位素中最大的。实验将演示使用可调谐的单频激光来控制这种流形中的量子态，并对Ho的几个性质进行基本的光谱测量。这些测量是由两个高影响应用程序推动的。第一种是在Ho的内部超精细态中使用集体编码来定义60量子比特量子寄存器的可能性。将进行测量以验证这一想法的可行性，这将对量子计算领域产生重大影响。第二个应用是，由于近简并电偶极和磁偶极跃迁的存在，有可能在波长小于1微米的Ho原子气体中实现负折射率。将进行光谱测量，以验证在Ho中实现负折射率的可行性。在低吸收损耗的情况下实现如此短波长的负折射率将对超透镜和光学隐身等光子学应用产生巨大的影响。该项目的更广泛影响是双重的。首先，这项研究是朝着实现超越传统经典计算机能力的可扩展量子处理器迈出的重要一步。这种设备的出现有可能改变包括数值数学、信息安全和与开发具有技术价值的新材料相关的量子系统模拟在内的领域的技术水平。此外，在短波长实现负折射率可能会对成像和隐身技术产生很大影响，这些技术在许多领域都很重要，包括工程和生物成像。其次，该研究计划将有助于培养学生从事科学和工程职业。培训将通过直接参与以大学为基础的研究计划进行。我们也会向当地社会介绍原子物理对信息技术的重要性，以及光子学领域的新发展。通过在威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校物理系的公众探访日、实验室参观和参与当地媒体节目，将促进对公众的接触。

This project will demonstrate laser cooling and optical trapping of an atomic species with a very complex internal structure, the rare earth element Holmium (Ho). Ho has a 128 dimensional ground state manifold, the largest of any stable atomic isotope. Experiments will demonstrate control of the quantum state within this manifold using tunable, single frequency lasers, and make basic spectroscopic measurements of several properties of Ho. These measurements are motivated by two high impact applications. The first is the possibility of using collective encoding in the internal hyperfine states of Ho to define a 60 qubit quantum register. Measurements will be performed to validate the feasibility of this idea which would have a large impact on the field of quantum computing. The second application is the possibility of achieving negative refractive index in a gas of Ho atoms at a wavelength shorter than 1 micron due to the presence of near degenerate electric dipole and magnetic dipole transitions. Spectroscopic measurements will be performed to validate the feasibility of achieving neagative refractive index in Ho. Achieving such short wavelength negative refractive index with low absorption losses would have a large impact for photonics applications including superlensing and optical cloaking. The broader impacts of the project are twofold. First, this research is an important step towards realizing a scalable quantum processor that exceeds the capabilities of conventional classical computers. The availability of such a device has the potential for transforming the state of the art in areas which include numerical mathematics, information security, and simulation of quantum systems related to the development of new, technologically valuable materials. In addition the achievement of negative refractive index at short wavelengths could have a large impact for imaging and cloaking technologies that are important in many fields including engineering, and biological imaging. Second, the research program will contribute to the training of students for careers in science and engineering. Training will occur via direct participation in the University based research program. We will also inform the local community about the importance of atomic physics to information technology, and new developments in the area of photonics. Outreach to the public will be facilitated by public visiting days at the UW Madison Physics department, laboratory tours, and participation in local media programs.