Advancing Quantum Simulation and Sensing with Alkaline Earth Atoms
Abstract
This proposal plans to theoretically investigate new frontiers in quantum simulation and sensing using alkaline-earth atoms (AEAs) interrogated by state-of-the-art optical lattice clocks loaded in one, and three dimensional optical lattices. The main idea is to take advantage of the AEA s long-lived electronic states (clock states), to encode an stable orbital degree of freedom, and of their large number of nuclear spin levels, to encode spin degrees of freedom. These internal levels can be controlled with exquisite degree of control by ultra-stable lasers with subhertz resolution. The lasers can also generate spin-orbit coupling, a coupling between internal and atomic motional states. This degree of control, combined with additional contact or dipole mediated interactions will be used as a tool box set to engineer many-body Hamiltonians that emulate the complex behavior of electrons in strongly correlated material, as well as new rich phenomena with no counterpart in nature. In addition, it will be used to shed light on the fundamental interplay between gravity and quantum mechanics. The theoretical research effort will be split into two main thrusts. Thrust 1 will focus on contact interactions which exhibit an intrinsic SU(N) spin rotation symmetry. Thrust 2 will delve into cases when atoms are coupled by dipolar interactions. The proposed research will be done utilizing analytical and state of the art numerical methods and carried out in close collaboration with experimental groups. Broader impacts include advancing the frontiers of materials, quantum information and metrology and the potential development of unprecedentedly accurate atomic clocks, and interferometers capable to test open questions in fundamental physics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA95502410179
Entities
People
- Ana María Rey
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Regents of the University of Colorado
- United States Air Force