Method to lock an optical parametric oscillator to an atomic transition.
Optical parametric oscillator output /signal/ frequency locked to absorbing atomic transition, discussing effective linewidth
Harris, S. E.↗
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Clock Precision beyond the Standard Quantum Limit at 10 −18 Level
Optical atomic clocks with unrivaled precision and accuracy have advanced the frontier of precision measurement science and opened new avenues for exploring fundamental physics. A fundamental limitation on clock precision is the standard quantum limit (SQL), which stems from the uncorrelated projection noise of each atom. State-of-the-art optical lattice clocks interrogate large ensembles to minimize the SQL, but density-dependent frequency shifts pose challenges to scaling the atom number. The SQL can be surpassed, however, by leveraging entanglement, though it remains an open problem to achieve quantum advantage from spin squeezing at state-of-the-art stability levels. Here, we demonstrate clock performance beyond the SQL, achieving a fractional frequency precision of 1.1 × 10 −18 for a single spin-squeezed clock. With cavity-based quantum nondemolition measurements, we prepare two spin-squeezed ensembles of ∼30 000 strontium atoms confined in a two-dimensional optical lattice. A synchronous clock comparison with an interrogation time of 61 ms achieves a metrological improvement of 2.0(2) dB beyond the SQL, after correcting for state preparation and measurement errors. These results establish the most precise entanglement-enhanced clock to date and offer a powerful platform for exploring the interplay of gravity and quantum entanglement.
cavity quantum electrodynamics↗
Essay: Quantum Sensing with Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Platforms for Fundamental Physics
Atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics has been at the forefront of the development of quantum science while laying the foundation for modern technology. With the growing capabilities of quantum control of many atoms for engineered many-body states and quantum entanglement, a key question emerges: what critical impact will the second quantum revolution with ubiquitous applications of entanglement bring to bear on fundamental physics? In this Essay, we argue that a compelling long-term vision for fundamental physics and novel applications is to harness the rapid development of quantum information science to define and advance the frontiers of measurement physics, with strong potential for fundamental discoveries. As quantum technologies, such as fault-tolerant quantum computing and entangled quantum sensor networks, become much more advanced than today’s realization, we wonder what doors of basic science can these tools unlock. We anticipate that some of the most intriguing and challenging problems, such as quantum aspects of gravity, fundamental symmetries, or new physics beyond the minimal standard model, will be tackled at the emerging quantum measurement frontier. . Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Physics↗
Long-lived Bell states in an array of optical clock qubits
The generation of long-lived entanglement in optical atomic clocks is one of the main goals of quantum metrology. Arrays of neutral atoms, where Rydberg-based interactions may generate entanglement between individually controlled and resolved atoms, constitute a promising quantum platform to achieve this. Here we leverage the programmable state preparation afforded by optical tweezers and the efficient strong confinement of a three-dimensional optical lattice to prepare an ensemble of strontium-atom pairs in their motional ground state. We engineer global single-qubit gates on the optical clock transition and two-qubit entangling gates via adiabatic Rydberg dressing, enabling the generation of Bell states with a state-preparation-and-measurement-corrected fidelity of 92.8(2.0)% (87.1(1.6)% without state-preparation-and-measurement correction). For use in quantum metrology, it is furthermore critical that the resulting entanglement be long lived; we find that the coherence of the Bell state has a lifetime of 4.2(6) s via parity correlations and simultaneous comparisons between entangled and unentangled ensembles. Such long-lived Bell states can be useful for enhancing metrological stability and bandwidth. In the future, atomic rearrangement will enable the implementation of many-qubit gates and cluster state generation, as well as explorations of the transverse field Ising model.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Physics through the 1990s: Atomic, molecular and optical physics
The volume presents a program of research initiatives in atomic, molecular, and optical physics. The current state of atomic, molecular, and optical physics in the US is examined with respect to demographics, education patterns, applications, and the US economy. Recommendations are made for each field, with discussions of their histories and the relevance of the research to government agencies. The section on atomic physics includes atomic theory, structure, and dynamics; accelerator-based atomic physics; and large facilities. The section on molecular physics includes spectroscopy, scattering theory and experiment, and the dynamics of chemical reactions. The section on optical physics discusses lasers, laser spectroscopy, and quantum optics and coherence. A section elucidates interfaces between the three fields and astrophysics, condensed matter physics, surface science, plasma physics, atmospheric physics, and nuclear physics. Another section shows applications of the three fields in ultra-precise measurements, fusion, national security, materials, medicine, and other topics.
Source record↗
Evaluation of atomic constants for optical radiation, volume 2
Various atomic constant for 23 elements from helium to mercury were computed and are presented in tables. The data given for each element start with the element name, its atomic number, its ionic state, and the designation and series limit for each parent configuration. This is followed by information on the energy level, parent configuration, and designation for each term available to the program. The matrix elements subtables are ordered by the sequence numbers, which represent the initial and final levels of the transitions. Each subtable gives the following: configuration of the core or parent, designation and energy level for the reference state, effective principal quantum number, energy of the series limit, value of the matrix element for the reference state interacting with itself, and sum of all of the dipole matrix elements listed in the subtable. Dipole and quadrupole interaction data are also given.
Kylstra, C. D.↗
Robust Quantum Control via Multipath Interference for Thousandfold Phase Amplification in a Resonant Atom Interferometer
We introduce a novel technique for enhancing the robustness of light-pulse atom interferometers against the pulse infidelities that typically limit their sensitivities. The technique uses quantum optimal control to favorably harness the multipath interference of the stray trajectories produced by imperfect atom-optics operations. We apply this method to a resonant atom interferometer and achieve thousandfold phase amplification, representing a 50-fold improvement over the performance observed without optimized control. Moreover, we find that spurious interference can arise from the interplay of spontaneous emission and many-pulse sequences and demonstrate optimization strategies to mitigate this effect. Given the ubiquity of spontaneous emission in quantum systems, these results may be valuable for improving the performance of a diverse array of quantum sensors. We anticipate our findings will significantly benefit the performance of matter-wave interferometers for a variety of applications, including dark matter, dark energy, and gravitational wave detection.
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
Coriolis force compensation and laser beam delivery for 100-m baseline atom interferometry
The Coriolis force is a significant source of systematic phase errors and dephasing in atom interferometry and is often compensated by counter-rotating the interferometry laser beam against Earth's rotation. We present a novel method for performing Coriolis force compensation for long-baseline atom interferometry, which mitigates atom-beam misalignment due to beam rotation, an effect which is magnified by the long lever arm of the baseline length. The method involves adjustment of the angle of the interferometer beam prior to a magnifying telescope, enabling the beam to pivot around a tunable position along the interferometer baseline. By tuning the initial atom kinematics and adjusting the angle with which the interferometer beam pivots about this point, we can ensure that the atoms align with the center of the beam during the atom optics laser pulses. This approach will be used in the MAGIS-100 atom interferometer and could also be applied to other long-baseline atom interferometers. An additional challenge associated with long baseline interferometry is that since long-baseline atom interferometers are often located outside of typical laboratory environments, facilities constraints may require lasers to be housed in a climate-controlled room a significant distance away from the main experiment. Nonlinear effects in optical fibers restrict the use of fiber-based transport of the high-power interferometry beam from the laser room to the experiment. We present the design of and prototype data from a laser transport system for MAGIS-100 that maintains robustness against alignment drifts despite the absence of a long fiber.
Glick, Jonah↗
On Parametric Generation of Deep UV Light in Monolithic Cavities With Cubic Nonlinearity
Coherent ultra violet (UV) light has broad applications in optical atomic clocks and quantum computers. Since availability of semiconductor tunable monochromatic lasers is limited at short wavelengths, optical nonlinear processes are frequently used to produce the desirable radiation wavelength. Optical crystals with quadratic nonlinearity are promising for this purpose because of their transparency and high optical damage threshold. In this paper we discuss a possibility of generation of coherent deep UV light utilizing high quality factor (-Q) monolithic optical microcavities made of crystalline optical materials characterized with cubic nonlinearities. We show that the generation is feasible in spite of the relatively small cubic nonlinearities, due to the ultra-broad-band high optical transparency of the crystals and associated high-Q achievable in the cavities created out of the materials. We found that the birefringence as well as the tensor nature of the nonlinear susceptibility of the crystalline optical materials can simplify the phase matching of the nonlinear processes.
Matsko, A.B.↗
The time-resolved atomic, molecular and optical science instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source
The newly constructed time-resolved atomic, molecular and optical science instrument (TMO) is configured to take full advantage of both linear accelerators at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, the copper accelerator operating at a repetition rate of 120 Hz providing high per-pulse energy as well as the superconducting accelerator operating at a repetition rate of about 1 MHz providing high average intensity. Both accelerators power a soft X-ray free-electron laser with the new variable-gap undulator section. With this flexible light source, TMO supports many experimental techniques not previously available at LCLS and will have two X-ray beam focus spots in line. Thereby, TMO supports atomic, molecular and optical, strong-field and nonlinear science and will also host a designated new dynamic reaction microscope with a sub-micrometer X-ray focus spot. The flexible instrument design is optimized for studying ultrafast electronic and molecular phenomena and can take full advantage of the sub-femtosecond soft X-ray pulse generation program.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA Tech Briefs, February 2008
Topics discussed include: Optical Measurement of Mass Flow of a Two-Phase Fluid; Selectable-Tip Corrosion-Testing Electrochemical Cell; Piezoelectric Bolt Breakers and Bolt Fatigue Testers; Improved Measurement of B(sub 22) of Macromolecules in a Flow Cell; Measurements by a Vector Network Analyzer at 325 to 508 GHz; Using Light to Treat Mucositis and Help Wounds Heal; Increasing Discharge Capacities of Li-(CF)(sub n) Cells; Dot-in-Well Quantum-Dot Infrared Photodetectors; Integrated Microbatteries for Implantable Medical Devices; Oxidation Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites; GIDEP Batching Tool; Generic Spacecraft Model for Real-Time Simulation; Parallel-Processing Software for Creating Mosaic Images; Software for Verifying Image-Correlation Tie Points; Flexcam Image Capture Viewing and Spot Tracking; Low-Pt-Content Anode Catalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells; Graphite/Cyanate Ester Face Sheets for Adaptive Optics; Atomized BaF2-CaF7 for Better-Flowing Plasma-Spray Feedstock; Nanophase Nickel-Zirconium Alloys for Fuel Cells; Vacuum Packaging of MEMS With Multiple Internal Seal Rings; Compact Two-Dimensional Spectrometer Optics; and Fault-Tolerant Coding for State Machines.
Source record↗
Redefining precision interferometry and spectroscopy with high-performance optical interference coatings
High-performance optical interference coatings have transformed precision interferometry and spectroscopy by enabling unparalleled control over light–matter interactions. This review explores recent innovations in ion-beam sputtered amorphous dielectric, as well as substrate-transferred crystalline coatings, and their impact on systems at the forefront of precision metrology. These state-of-the-art coating techniques generate multilayers with ultralow optical losses, yielding mirrors with exceptional reflectivity. Refinements in their noise performance push the ultimate limits of sensitivity, resolution, and stability in demanding laser-based metrology applications. These technologies underpin the most advanced timekeeping and spatial measurement tools, enabling high-finesse reference cavities for the world’s most precise optical atomic clocks and low-noise reflective test masses for km-baseline gravitational-wave detectors. Emerging hybrid designs combining these techniques expand access to the mid-infrared spectral region, enabling the first ultralow-optical-loss coatings in the 3000–5000 nm wavelength range for enhanced spectroscopy and trace-gas detection. We highlight how these technologies redefine coating performance metrics and set new benchmarks in quantum science, fundamental physics, and precision optical sensing.
Cole, Garrett D. [University of Arizona, Tucson, A↗
In situ infrared nanospectroscopy of the local processes at the Li/polymer electrolyte interface
Solid-state batteries possess the potential to significantly impact energy storage industries by enabling diverse benefits, such as increased safety and energy density. However, challenges persist with physicochemical properties and processes at electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Thus, there is great need to characterize such interfaces in situ, and unveil scientific understanding that catalyzes engineering solutions. To address this, we conduct multiscale in situ microscopies (optical, atomic force, and infrared near-field) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies (near-field nanospectroscopy and attenuated total reflection) of intact and electrochemically operational graphene/solid polymer electrolyte interfaces. We find nanoscale structural and chemical heterogeneities intrinsic to the solid polymer electrolyte initiate a cascade of additional interfacial nanoscale heterogeneities during Li plating and stripping; including Li-ion conductivity, electrolyte decomposition, and interphase formation. Moreover, our methodology to nondestructively characterize buried interfaces and interphases in their native environment with nanoscale resolution is readily adaptable to a number of other electrochemical systems and battery chemistries.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Strain-tuned quantum criticality in electronic Potts-nematic systems
Motivated by recent observations of threefold rotational symmetry breaking in twisted moiré systems, cold-atom optical lattices, quantum Hall systems, and triangular antiferromagnets, we phenomenologically investigate the strain-temperature phase diagram of the electronic 3-state Potts-nematic order. While in the absence of strain the quantum Potts-nematic transition is first-order, quantum critical points (QCP) emerge when uniaxial strain is applied, whose nature depends on whether the strain is compressive or tensile. In one case, the nematic amplitude jumps between two non-zero values while the nematic director remains pinned, leading to a symmetry-preserving metanematic transition that terminates at a quantum critical end-point. For the other type of strain, the nematic director unlocks from the strain direction and spontaneously breaks an in-plane twofold rotational symmetry, which in twisted moiré superlattices triggers an electric polarization. Such a piezoelectric transition changes from first to second-order upon increasing strain, resulting in a quantum tricritical point. Using a Hertz-Millis approach, we show that these QCPs share interesting similarities with the widely studied Ising-nematic QCP. The existence of three minima in the nematic action also leaves fingerprints in the strain-nematic hysteresis curves, which display multiple loops. At non-zero temperatures, because the upper critical dimension of the 3-state Potts model is smaller than three, the Potts-nematic transition is expected to remain first-order in 3D, but to change to second-order in 2D. As a result, the 2D strain-temperature phase diagram displays two first-order transition wings bounded by lines of critical end-points or tricritical points, reminiscent of the phase diagram of metallic ferromagnets. Furthermore, we discuss how our results can be used to unambiguously identify spontaneous Potts-nematic order.
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
Asteroids for μ Hz gravitational-wave detection
A major challenge for gravitational-wave (GW) detection in the μHz band is engineering a test mass (TM) with sufficiently low acceleration noise. We propose a GW detection concept using asteroids located in the inner Solar System as TMs. Our main purpose is to evaluate the acceleration noise of asteroids in the μHz band. We show that a wide variety of environmental perturbations are small enough to enable an appropriate class of ~10 km-diameter asteroids to be employed as TMs. This would allow a sensitive GW detector in the band (few) × 10 -7 Hz ≲ fGW ≲ (few) × 10 -5 Hz, reaching strain hc ~ 10 -19 around f GW ~10 μHz, sufficient to detect a wide variety of sources. To exploit these asteroid TMs, human-engineered base stations could be deployed on multiple asteroids, each equipped with an electromagnetic transmitter/receiver to permit measurement of variations in the distance between them. We discuss a potential conceptual design with two base stations, each with a space-qualified optical atomic clock measuring the round-trip electromagnetic pulse travel time via laser ranging. Trade space exists to optimize multiple aspects of this mission: for example, using a radio-ranging or interferometric link system instead of laser ranging. This motivates future dedicated technical design study. This mission concept holds exceptional promise for accessing this GW frequency band.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Evaluation of Lattice Light Shift at Low 10 -19 Uncertainty for a Shallow Lattice Sr Optical Clock
A Wannier-Stark optical lattice clock has demonstrated unprecedented measurement precision for optical atomic clocks. Here, we present a systematic evaluation of the lattice light shift, a necessary next step for establishing this system as an accurate atomic clock. With precise control of the atomic motional states in the lattice, we report accurate measurements of the multipolar and the hyperpolar contributions and the operational lattice light shift with a fractional frequency uncertainty of 3.5×10 -19 .
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Ultralow 0.034 dB/m loss wafer-scale integrated photonics realizing 720 million Q and 380 μW threshold Brillouin lasing
We demonstrate 0.034 dB/m loss waveguides in a 200-mm wafer-scale, silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) CMOS-foundry-compatible integration platform. We fabricate resonators that measure up to a 720 million intrinsic Q resonator at 1615 nm wavelength with a 258 kHz intrinsic linewidth. This resonator is used to realize a Brillouin laser with an energy-efficient 380 µW threshold power. The performance is achieved by reducing scattering losses through a combination of single-mode TM waveguide design and an etched blanket-layer low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) 80 nm Si 3 N 4 waveguide core combined with thermal oxide lower and tetraethoxysilane plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (TEOS–PECVD) upper oxide cladding. This level of performance will enable photon preservation and energy-efficient generation of the spectrally pure light needed for photonic integration of a wide range of future precision scientific applications, including quantum, precision metrology, and optical atomic clocks.
Liu, Kaikai (ORCID:0000000213609646)↗
Theory and laboratory astrophysics
Science opportunities in the 1990's are discussed. Topics covered include the large scale structure of the universe, galaxies, stars, star formation and the interstellar medium, high energy astrophysics, and the solar system. Laboratory astrophysics in the 1990's is briefly surveyed, covering such topics as molecular, atomic, optical, nuclear and optical physics. Funding recommendations are given for the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy. Recommendations for laboratory astrophysics research are given.
Schramm, David N.↗