Quantum Coherence with Holmium Atoms: Magic Traps, Clocks, and Entanglement

这个研究项目将研究钬原子的性质。 钬原子具有任何元素中最复杂的内部结构之一，因此可能对几种新技术有价值。 这个研究小组将探索如何利用钬的复杂结构来开发原子计时和量子存储的新方法。 第一个应用很重要，因为原子钟是最精确的时间和频率标准，它们为全球定位系统（GPS）等技术提供了基础。 第二个应用很重要，因为它可以帮助实现量子通信网络。 将开发使用激光和电磁场的实验方法来冷却和捕获钬原子，使其处于不同的内部状态，并测量钬原子之间的相互作用。这将使研究小组能够更精确地测量钬原子的碰撞特性以及钬原子能级之间各种跃迁对磁场的敏感性。 该项目还将对科学家进行原子物理学现代技术方面的培训，并为学生在学术界和工业界的职业生涯做好准备。这项研究的结果将传播给当地公众在麦迪逊，威斯康星州，通过开放的房子在物理dddennis，通过访问当地学校，并提供实习为当地高中学生。稀土元素钬（Ho）具有128维基态流形，是任何稳定原子同位素中最大的。实验将使用Ho原子的磁光阱。将开发使用射频和微波场的光学控制技术，以在128维地面流形中制备特定的塞曼子态。将用于光学时钟跃迁的一对状态将被磁捕获在使得状态的能量差对磁场噪声不敏感的配置中。一个阵列的磁陷阱将创建使用光刻定义的芯片结构与载流导线。 里德伯态将使用双光子激发进行探测，并将研究用于创建远程原子相互作用的敷料技术。这些技术有可能产生纠缠的许多身体状态，以提高时钟转换的精度。

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 therefore could be valuable for several new technologies. This research team will explore how holmium's complex structure can be used to develop new methods for atomic timekeeping and for quantum memory. The first application is important because atomic clocks are the most accurate time and frequency standards, and they provide the basis for technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). The second application is important because it could help enable quantum communication networks. Experimental methods using lasers and electromagnetic fields will be developed to cool and trap holmium atoms, to prepare them in different internal states, and to measure interactions between holmium atoms. This will enable the research team to make more precise measurements of holmium atoms' collisional properties and the sensitivity to magnetic fields for various transitions between holmium atomic energy levels. This project will also train scientists in modern techniques of atomic physics and prepare students 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 dDpartment, 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. Optical control techniques using rf and microwave fields will be developed to prepare specific Zeeman substates in the 128-dimensional ground manifold. A pair of states to be used for an optical clock transition will be magnetically trapped in a configuration that makes the energy difference of the states insensitive to magnetic field noise. An array of magnetic traps will be created using lithographically defined chip structures with current carrying wires. Rydberg states will be probed using two-photon excitation, and dressing techniques for creating long range atomic interactions will be studied. These techniques have the potential to create entangled many body states for improved precision of the clock transition.