Ravon B, Méhaignerie P, Machu Y, Hernández A Durán, Favier M, Raimond J M, Brune M, Sayrin C
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Collège de France, CNRS, ENS-Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, 11 place Marcelin Berthelot, F-75231 Paris, France.
Phys Rev Lett. 2023 Sep 1;131(9):093401. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.093401.
Circular Rydberg atoms (CRAs), i.e., Rydberg atoms with maximal orbital momentum, are highly promising for quantum computation, simulation, and sensing. They combine long natural lifetimes with strong interatomic interactions and coupling to electromagnetic fields. Trapping individual CRAs is essential to harness these unique features. We report the first demonstration of CRAs laser trapping in a programmable array of optical bottle beams. We observe the decay of a trapped rubidium circular level over 5 ms using a novel optical detection method. This first optical detection of alkali CRAs is both spatially and level selective. We finally observe the mechanical oscillations of the CRAs in the traps. This work opens the route to the use of circular levels in quantum devices. It is also promising for quantum simulation and information processing using the full extent of Rydberg manifolds.
环形里德堡原子（CRA），即具有最大轨道角动量的里德堡原子，在量子计算、模拟和传感方面极具潜力。它们将较长的自然寿命与强原子间相互作用以及与电磁场的耦合相结合。捕获单个CRA对于利用这些独特特性至关重要。我们报告了首次在可编程光学瓶束阵列中对CRA进行激光捕获的演示。我们使用一种新颖的光学检测方法观察到被困铷环形能级在5毫秒内的衰减。这种对碱金属CRA的首次光学检测在空间和能级上都是选择性的。我们最终观察到了陷阱中CRA的机械振荡。这项工作为在量子器件中使用环形能级开辟了道路。对于利用里德堡流形的全部范围进行量子模拟和信息处理也很有前景。
