Rydberg Interactions and Quantum Control of Cold Trapped Holmium Atoms

本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，我们对其性质的了解是不完整的。详细的测量将由钬的原子结构。将开发使用激光和电磁场的实验方法来制备不同的内部状态并测量钬原子之间的相互作用。这些测量和方法将为钬在信息处理中的未来应用奠定基础。 此外，该项目还将培训科学家掌握原子物理学的现代技术，并为他们在学术界和工业界的职业生涯做好准备。这项研究的结果将传播给当地公众在麦迪逊，威斯康星州地区通过开放的房子在物理系，通过访问当地学校，并提供实习为当地高中生。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。实验将使用最近在萨夫曼实验室演示的Ho原子磁光阱。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。里德伯态将使用双光子激发进行探测，并测量迄今未知的Ho里德伯态的量子缺陷。量子缺陷将用于开发有效的里德伯波函数模型，然后将用于计算里德伯-里德伯相互作用强度。里德伯态的测量将成为用Ho原子进行里德伯封锁实验和证明纠缠的基础。Ho原子的基态和里德伯态性质的这些研究，以及控制技术的发展，将建立一个知识基础的集体编码的量子寄存器在小Ho系综。

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.