https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201510301007
Laser Cooling of Lanthanides: from Optical Clocks to Quantum Simulators
1 P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute, Leninsky prospect 53, 119991 Moscow, Russia
2 Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia
3 Russian Quantum Center, Skolkovo, Moscow Region, Russia
a Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published online: 25 September 2015
Abstract
We discuss current progress in laser cooling of lanthanides (Er, Yb, Dy, Tm etc.) focusing on applications. We describe some important peculiarities taking Thulium atom as an example: Two stage laser cooling, trapping in an optical lattice, anisotropic interactions and spectroscopy of narrow transitions. Specific level structure and presence of magic wavelengths make ultracold Thulium a favorable candidate for optical clock applications. On the other hand, abundance of Feshbach resonances allow to tune interactions in ultracold gases and thus reach quantum degeneracy. It opens intriguing perspectives for novel quantum simulators employing dipole-dipole interactions in an optical lattice.
Key words: lanthanides / laser cooling / optical clock / quantum degeneracy
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2015
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