PRX Quantum

Determining the ³P₀ Excited-State Tune-Out Wavelength of ¹⁷⁴Yb in a Triple-Magic Lattice

Precise state-dependent control of optical potentials is of great importance for various applications utilizing cold neutral atoms. In particular, tune-out wavelengths for the clock state pair in alkaline-earth(-like) atoms provide maximally state-selective trap conditions that hold promise for the realization of novel approaches in quantum computation and simulation. While several ground-state tune-out wavelengths have been determined, similar experimental studies for metastable excited states are challenged by inelastic collisions and Raman losses, so far prohibiting precise measurements of excited-state tune-out conditions. In this work we report on the measurement of a tune-out wavelength for the metastable ³⁢P₀ clock state in ¹⁷⁴⁢Yb at 519.920⁢(9) THz. In order to circumvent collisional losses, we isolate individual ³⁢P₀ atoms in a two-dimensional clock-magic-wavelength lattice at 759 nm. To minimize the limitation imposed by Raman scattering, we further implement resolved sideband cooling on the clock transition, which allows us to reduce the lattice depth and surpass lifetimes of 5 s. The precision of the tune-out measurement is further enhanced by fluorescence imaging in a triple-magic configuration, where we implement molasses cooling on the ³⁢P₁ intercombination line and identify a magic angle of 38.5⁢(9)^∘ in the clock-magic lattice.

Access to paper: https://journals.aps.org/prxquantum/abstract/10.1103/32q9-j82c