Rydberg Interactions and Quantum Control of Cold Trapped Holmium Atoms

这项研究项目将研究Ho原子的性质。Ho原子是所有元素中最复杂的内部结构之一，我们对其性质的了解是不完整的。将对Ho的原子结构进行详细的测量。将开发使用激光和电磁场的实验方法来制备不同的内态并测量Ho原子之间的相互作用。这些测量结果和方法将为Ho在信息处理中的应用奠定基础。此外，该项目将对科学家进行现代原子物理技术培训，并为他们在学术界和工业界的职业生涯做好准备。这项研究的结果将通过物理系的开放参观、对当地学校的访问以及为当地高中生提供实习机会，向威斯康星州麦迪逊地区的当地公众传播。稀土元素Ho(Ho)具有128维的基态流形，是所有稳定原子同位素中最大的。实验将使用最近在萨夫曼实验室演示的Ho原子的磁光陷阱。利用射频场和微波场的光学控制技术将被开发来制备128维地面流形中的特定塞曼子态。里德堡态将使用双光子激发来探测，并将测量迄今未知的Ho里德堡态的量子缺陷。量子缺陷将被用来开发有效里德堡波函数的模型，然后将被用来计算里德堡-里德堡相互作用强度。里德堡态的测量将成为用Ho原子进行里德堡阻塞实验和演示纠缠的基础。这些对Ho原子基态和里德堡态性质的研究，以及控制技术的发展，将为小Ho系综中量子寄存器的集体编码奠定知识基础。

This research project will study the properties of Holmium atoms. The Holmium atom has one of the most complex internal structures of any element and our knowledge of its properties is incomplete. Detailed measurements will be made of the atomic structure of Holmium. Experimental methods using lasers and electromagnetic fields will be developed to prepare different internal states and to measure interactions between Holmium atoms. These measurements and methods will provide a foundation for future applications of Holmium to information processing. In addition the project will train scientists in modern techniques of atomic physics and prepare them for careers in academia and industry. The results of this research will be disseminated to the local public in the Madison, Wisconsin area through open houses in the Physics department, through visits to local schools, and by providing internships for local high school students. The rare earth element Holmium (Ho) has a 128 dimensional ground state manifold, the largest of any stable atomic isotope. Experiments will use a Magneto-Optical Trap of Ho atoms, recently demonstrated in the Saffman laboratories. Optical control techniques using rf and microwave fields will be developed to prepare specific Zeeman substates in the 128 dimensional ground manifold. Rydberg states will be probed using two-photon excitation and the hitherto unknown quantum defects of the Ho Rydberg states will be measured. The quantum defects will be used to develop models for effective Rydberg wavefunctions which will then be used to calculate Rydberg-Rydberg interaction strengths. The Rydberg state measurements will form the basis for Rydberg blockade experiments with Ho atoms, and the demonstration of entanglement. These studies of the ground and Rydberg state properties of Ho atoms, as well as the development of control techniques, will establish a knowledge basis for collective encoding of quantum registers in small Ho ensembles.