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

该项目将演示激光冷却和光学捕获具有非常复杂的内部结构的原子物种，稀土元素钬（Ho）。Ho具有128维基态流形，是任何稳定原子同位素中最大的。实验将展示使用可调谐的单频激光器在这个流形内控制量子态，并对Ho的几个属性进行基本的光谱测量。这些测量的动机是两个高影响力的应用。第一个是在Ho的内部超精细状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。第二个应用是在Ho原子的气体中在短于1微米的波长下由于存在近简并电偶极和磁偶极跃迁而实现负折射率的可能性。将进行光谱测量以验证在Ho中实现负折射率的可行性。实现这种具有低吸收损耗的短波长负折射率将对包括超透镜和光学隐身的光子学应用产生很大影响。该项目的广泛影响是双重的。首先，这项研究是实现超越传统经典计算机能力的可扩展量子处理器的重要一步。这种设备的可用性有可能改变包括数值数学，信息安全和与开发新的技术上有价值的材料相关的量子系统模拟在内的领域的最新技术水平。此外，在短波长下实现负折射率可能对成像和隐身技术产生重大影响，这些技术在包括工程和生物成像在内的许多领域都很重要。其次，该研究计划将有助于培养学生在科学和工程职业生涯。培训将通过直接参与大学的研究计划进行。我们亦会向市民介绍原子物理学对资讯科技的重要性，以及光子学的最新发展。对公众的宣传将通过在华盛顿大学麦迪逊物理系的公众访问日、实验室图尔斯参观和参与当地媒体节目来促进。

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.