Cavity-enhanced optical lattices for scaling neutral atom quantum technologies

Abstract

We demonstrate a cavity-based solution to scale up experiments with ultracold atoms in optical lattices by an order of magnitude over state-of-the-art free space lattices. Our two-dimensional optical lattices are created by power enhancement cavities with large mode waists of 489(8) µm and allow us to trap ultracold strontium atoms at a lattice depth of 60 µK by using only 80 mW of input light per cavity axis. We characterize these lattices using high-resolution clock spectroscopy and resolve carrier transitions between different vibrational levels. We use these spectral features to locally measure the lattice potential envelope and the sample temperature with a spatial resolution limited only by the optical resolution of the imaging system. The measured ground-band and trap lifetimes are 18(3) s and 59(2) s, respectively, and the lattice frequency (depth) is long-term stable on the MHz (0.1%) level. Our results show that large, deep, and stable two-dimensional cavityenhanced lattices can be created at any wavelength and can be used to scale up neutral-atom-based quantum simulators, quantum computers, sensors, and optical lattice clocks.

Universal Kardar-Parisi-Zhang dynamics in integrable quantum systems

“…Achieving this error floor requires the ability to spatially resolve spin-transport dynamics over long time-scales and large distances. For concreteness, let us consider 87 Sr atoms loaded into a two-dimensional optical lattice [70,81,82]. Recent experiments have demonstrated the elegant use of cavity-enhancement to realize homogeneous lattices capable of supporting Mott insulators with a diameter of ∼ 300 sites [36,81].…”

“…For concreteness, let us consider 87 Sr atoms loaded into a two-dimensional optical lattice [70,81,82]. Recent experiments have demonstrated the elegant use of cavity-enhancement to realize homogeneous lattices capable of supporting Mott insulators with a diameter of ∼ 300 sites [36,81]. By implementing strong confinement in one direction, one can subsequently divide the system into ∼ 250 independent chains, each with length ∼ 150 sites.…”

“…By implementing strong confinement in one direction, one can subsequently divide the system into ∼ 250 independent chains, each with length ∼ 150 sites. Assuming an on-site interaction energy, U ∼ 3 kHz, and a tunneling rate, t ∼ 300 Hz, yields a spin-exchange interaction, J = 2t 2 /U ≈ 60 Hz [36,81]. Optimizing for an evolution time of ∼ 50/J and assuming an experimental cycle time of ∼ 10 s [70], we estimate that a relative error of ∼ 10 −3 , can be achieved within two days of averaging [36].…”

Optimisation of Scalable Ion-Cavity Interfaces for Quantum Photonic Networks

“…There are many situations in which the interaction of atoms and light may be usefully augmented by placing the atomic system within an optical cavity, ranging from highly efficient optical lattice generation [1,2] to the creation of spin squeezed states for improved metrology [3][4][5], as well as a wealth of quantum information processing applications [6][7][8][9][10]. Among these, one application where cavities seem poised to play a critical role is in the efficient extraction of single photons from trapped atoms or ions.…”

Universal Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Dynamics in Integrable Quantum Systems

“…Achieving this error floor requires the ability to spatially resolve spin-transport dynamics over long time-scales and large distances. For concreteness, let us consider 87 Sr atoms loaded into a two-dimensional optical lattice [80,91,92]. Recent experiments have demonstrated the elegant use of cavity-enhancement to realize homogeneous lattices capable of supporting Mott insulators with a diameter of ∼ 300 sites [63,91].…”