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Z. -T. Lu

Publications and source records attributed to Z. -T. Lu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Cold-atom comagnetometry via optical control of spin states

Atomic spin-based comagnetometers are powerful tools for precision sensing and tests of fundamental physics. Compared with the widely used gas-cell comagnetometer systems, cold-atom systems offer access to much shorter distance scales and allow implementation of {optical} quantum control techniques. However, in order to realize long spin coherence times with cold atoms, it is necessary to employ diamagnetic atoms and overcome decoherence induced by light shifts. Here we demonstrate a cold-atom comagnetometer based on the nuclear spins of $^{171}$Yb (spin-1/2) and $^{173}$Yb (spin-5/2), jointly trapped in an optical lattice. Vector light shifts are suppressed by enforcing linear polarization of the lattice, while tensor shifts in $^{173}$Yb are suppressed via the use of a Schrödinger cat state. This enables simultaneous Ramsey interferometry on both isotopes with a spin coherence time of 60 s. We achieve a magnetic noise suppression factor exceeding $3\times10^4$, and determine the ratio of nuclear magnetic moments to 4 ppm precision. Our results establish a new cold-atom platform for spin-based sensing and open pathways toward quantum-enhanced searches for physics beyond the Standard Model.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2025

Observation of the electric Breit-Rabi Effect

The response of an atom to external electric and magnetic fields can reveal fundamental atomic properties. It has long been verified that, in a static magnetic field, those atomic energy levels with hyperfine interactions shift according to the Breit-Rabi formula, which introduces nonlinear dependence on the magnetic field. On the other hand, the corresponding Breit-Rabi dependence on a static electric field has not been observed before due to a combination of experimental challenges. Here we precisely measure the Stark shift of the $6s^2\ ^1S_0\ \leftrightarrow\ 6s6p\ ^1P_1$ transition of $^{171}$Yb ($I$ = 1/2) with cold atoms held by an optical dipole trap in a static electric field up to 120 kV/cm. We observe the electric Breit-Rabi effect displaying high-order ($E^4$ and $E^6$) DC Stark shifts. These effects arise from the influence of the strong electric field on hyperfine interactions.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2024

Minutes-scale Schr{ö}dinger-cat state of spin-5/2 atoms

Quantum metrology with nonclassical states offers a promising route to improved precision in physical measurements. The quantum effects of Schr{ö}dinger-cat superpositions or entanglements allow measurement uncertainties to reach below the standard quantum limit. However, the challenge in keeping a long coherence time for such nonclassical states often prevents full exploitation of the quantum advantage in metrology. Here we demonstrate a long-lived Schr{ö}dinger-cat state of optically trapped $^{173}$Yb (\textit{I}\ =\ 5/2) atoms. The cat state, a superposition of two oppositely-directed and furthest-apart spin states, is generated by a non-linear spin rotation. Protected in a decoherence-free subspace against inhomogeneous light shifts of an optical lattice, the cat state achieves a coherence time of $1.4(1)\times 10^3$ s. A magnetic field is measured with Ramsey interferometry, demonstrating a scheme of Heisenberg-limited metrology for atomic magnetometry, quantum information processing, and searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2022

Quantum Non-Demolition Measurement on the Spin Precession of Laser-Trapped $^{171}$Yb Atoms

Quantum non-demolition (QND) measurement enhances the detection efficiency and measurement fidelity, and is highly desired for its applications in precision measurements and quantum information processing. We propose and demonstrate a QND measurement scheme for the spin states of laser-trapped atoms. On $^{171}$Yb atoms held in an optical dipole trap, a transition that is simultaneously cycling, spin-state selective, and spin-state preserving is created by introducing a circularly polarized beam of control laser to optically dress the spin states in the excited level, while leaving the spin states in the ground level unperturbed. We measure the phase of spin precession of $5\times10^{4}$ atoms in a bias magnetic field of 20 mG. This QND approach reduces the optical absorption detection noise by $\sim$19 dB, to a level of 2.3 dB below the atomic quantum projection noise. In addition to providing a general approach for efficient spin-state readout, this all-optical technique allows quick switching and real-time programming for quantum sensing and quantum information processing.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2022

Measurement of the Electric Dipole Moment of $^{171}$Yb Atoms in an Optical Dipole Trap

The permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the $^{171}$Yb $(I=1/2)$ atom is measured with atoms held in an optical dipole trap (ODT). By enabling a cycling transition that is simultaneously spin-selective and spin-preserving, a quantum non-demolition measurement with a spin-detection efficiency of 50$\%$ is realized. A systematic effect due to parity mixing induced by a static E field is observed, and is suppressed by averaging between measurements with ODTs in opposite directions. The coherent spin precession time is found to be much longer than 300 s. The EDM is determined to be $d({\rm^{171}Yb})={\color{black}(-6.8\pm5.1_{\rm stat}\pm1.2_{\rm syst})\times10^{-27}\ e\ \rm cm}$, leading to an upper limit of $|d({\rm^{171}Yb})|<{\color{black}1.5\times10^{-26}\ e\ \rm cm}$ ($95\%$ C.L.). These measurement techniques can be adapted to search for the EDM of $^{225}$Ra.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2022

Optically enhanced discharge excitation and trapping of $^{39}Ar$

We report on a two-fold increase of the $^{39}Ar$ loading rate in an atom trap by enhancing the generation of metastable atoms in a discharge source. Additional atoms in the metastable $1s_5$ level (Paschen notation) are obtained via optically pumping both the $1s_4$ - $2p_6$ transition at 801 nm and the $1s_2$ - $2p_6$ transition at 923 nm. By solving the master equation for the corresponding six-level system, we identify these two transitions to be the most suitable ones and encounter a transfer process between $1s_2$ and $1s_4$ when pumping both transitions simultaneously. We calculate the previously unknown frequency shifts of the two transitions in $^{39}Ar$ and confirm the results with trap loading measurements. The demonstrated increase in the loading rate enables a corresponding decrease in the required sample size, uncertainty and measurement time for $^{39}Ar$ dating, a significant improvement for applications such as dating of ocean water and alpine ice cores.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2021

High Resolution Spectroscopy of Neutral Yb Atoms in a Solid Ne Matrix

We present an experimental and theoretical study of the absorption and emission spectra of Yb atoms in a solid Ne matrix at a resolution of 0.025 nm. Five absorption bands were identified as due to transitions from the $4f^{14}5d^06s^2\ ^1\!S_0$ ground state configuration to $4f^{14}5d^06s6p$ and $4f^{13}5d^16s^2$ configurations. The two lowest energy bands were assigned to outer-shell transitions to $6s6p\ ^3P_1$ and $^1P_1$ atomic states and displayed the structure of a broad doublet and an asymmetric triplet, respectively. The remaining three higher-frequency bands were assigned to inner-shell transitions to distinct $J=1$ states arising from the $4f^{13}5d^16s^2$ configuration and were highly structured with narrow linewidths. A classical simulation was performed to identify the stability and symmetry of possible trapping sites in the Ne crystal. It showed that the overarching 1+2 structure of the high frequency bands could be predominantly ascribed to crystal field splitting in the axial field of a 10-atom vacancy of $C_{4v}$ symmetry. Their prominent substructures were shown to be manifestations of phonon sidebands associated with the zero-phonon lines on each crystal field state. Unprecedented for a metal-rare gas system, resolution of individual phonon states on an allowed electronic transition was possible under excitation spectroscopy which reflects the semi-quantum nature of solid Ne. In contrast to the absorption spectra, emission spectra produced by steady-state excitation into the $^1P_1$ absorption band consisted of simple, unstructured fluorescence bands.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2021

Optical Excitation and Trapping of $^{81}$Kr

We have realized optical excitation, trapping and detection of the radioisotope $^{81}$Kr with an isotopic abundance of 0.9 ppt. The 124 nm light needed for the production of metastable atoms is generated by a resonant discharge lamp. Photon transport through the optically thick krypton gas inside the lamp is simulated and optimized to enhance both brightness and resonance. We achieve a state-of-the-art $^{81}$Kr loading rate of 1800 atoms/h, which can be further scaled up by adding more lamps. The all-optical approach overcomes the limitations on precision and sample size of radiokrypton dating, enabling new applications in the earth sciences, particularly for dating of polar ice cores.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2020

Magic Wavelengths of the Yb $6s^2{}\,^1S_0-6s6p\,{}^3P_1$ Intercombination Transition

We calculate and measure the magic wavelengths for the $6s^2{}\,^1S_0-6s6p\,{}^3P_1$ intercombination transition of the neutral ytterbium atom. The calculation is performed with the \textit{ab initio} configuration interaction (CI) + all-order method. The measurement is done with laser spectroscopy on cold atoms in an optical dipole trap. The magic wavelengths are determined to be 1035.68(4) nm for the $π$ transition ($Δm = 0$) and 1036.12(3) nm for the $σ$ transitions ($|Δm| = 1$) in agreement with the calculated values. Laser cooling on the narrow intercombination transition could achieve better results for atoms in an optical dipole trap when the trap wavelength is tuned to near the magic wavelength.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2020

Enhancement of the $^{81}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{85}\mathrm{Kr}$ count rates by optical pumping

We report an increase of up to 60% on the count rates of the rare $^{81}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{85}\mathrm{Kr}$ isotopes in the Atom Trap Trace Analysis method by enhancing the production of metastable atoms in the discharge source. Additional atoms in the metastable $ 1s_5 $ level (Paschen notation) are obtained via optically pumping the $1s_4-2p_6$ transition at 819 nm. By solving the master equation for the system, we identify this transition to be the most suitable one and can describe the measured increase in metastable population as a function of the 819-nm laser power. We calculate the previously unknown isotope shifts and hyperfine splittings of the $1s_4-2p_6$ transition in $^{81}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{85}\mathrm{Kr}$, and verify the results with count rate measurements. The demonstrated count-rate increase enables a corresponding decrease in the required sample sizes for $^{81}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{85}\mathrm{Kr}$ dating, a significant improvement for applications such as dating of ocean water and deep ice cores.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2015

First Measurement of the Atomic Electric Dipole Moment of $^{225}$Ra

The radioactive radium-225 ($^{225}$Ra) atom is a favorable case to search for a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM). Due to its strong nuclear octupole deformation and large atomic mass, $^{225}$Ra is particularly sensitive to interactions in the nuclear medium that violate both time-reversal symmetry and parity. We have developed a cold-atom technique to study the spin precession of $^{225}$Ra atoms held in an optical dipole trap, and demonstrated the principle of this method by completing the first measurement of its atomic EDM, reaching an upper limit of $|$$d$($^{225}$Ra)$|$ $<$ $5.0\!\times\!10^{-22}$ $e \cdot$cm (95$\%$ confidence).

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2014

Measurement of the Hyperfine Quenching Rate of the Clock Transition in $^{171}$Yb

We report the first experimental determination of the hyperfine quenching rate of the $6s^2\ ^1\!S_0\ (F=1/2) - 6s6p\ ^3\!P_0\ (F=1/2)$ transition in $^{171}$Yb with nuclear spin $I=1/2$. This rate determines the natural linewidth and the Rabi frequency of the clock transition of a Yb optical frequency standard. Our technique involves spectrally resolved fluorescence decay measurements of the lowest lying $^3\!P_{0,1}$ levels of neutral Yb atoms embedded in a solid Ne matrix. The solid Ne provides a simple way to trap a large number of atoms as well as an efficient mechanism for populating $^3\!P_0$. The decay rates in solid Ne are modified by medium effects including the index-of-refraction dependence. We find the $^3\!P_0$ hyperfine quenching rate to be $(4.42\pm0.35)\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ for free $^{171}$Yb, which agrees with recent ab initio calculations.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2014

Planning the Future of U.S. Particle Physics (Snowmass 2013): Chapter 2: Intensity Frontier

These reports present the results of the 2013 Community Summer Study of the APS Division of Particles and Fields ("Snowmass 2013") on the future program of particle physics in the U.S. Chapter 2, on the Intensity Frontier, discusses the program of research with high-intensity beams and rare processes. This area includes experiments on neutrinos, proton decay, charged-lepton and quark weak interactions, atomic and nuclear probes of fundamental symmetries, and searches for new, light, weakly-interacting particles.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2013

Charged Leptons

This is the report of the Intensity Frontier Charged Lepton Working Group of the 2013 Community Summer Study "Snowmass on the Mississippi", summarizing the current status and future experimental opportunities in muon and tau lepton studies and their sensitivity to new physics. These include searches for charged lepton flavor violation, measurements of magnetic and electric dipole moments, and precision measurements of the decay spectrum and parity-violating asymmetries.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2013

Tracer Applications of Noble Gas Radionuclides in the Geosciences

The noble gas radionuclides, including 81Kr (half-life = 229,000 yr), 85Kr (11 yr), and 39Ar (269 yr), possess nearly ideal chemical and physical properties for studies of earth and environmental processes. Recent advances in Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA), a laser-based atom counting method, have enabled routine measurements of the radiokrypton isotopes, as well as the demonstration of the ability to measure 39Ar in environmental samples. Here we provide an overview of the ATTA technique, and a survey of recent progress made in several laboratories worldwide. We review the application of noble gas radionuclides in the geosciences and discuss how ATTA can help advance these fields, specifically determination of groundwater residence times using 81Kr, 85Kr, and 39Ar; dating old glacial ice using 81Kr; and an 39Ar survey of the main water masses of the oceans, to study circulation pathways and estimate mean residence times. Other scientific questions involving deeper circulation of fluids in the Earth's crust and mantle also are within the scope of future applications. We conclude that the geoscience community would greatly benefit from an ATTA facility dedicated to this field, with instrumentation for routine measurements, as well as for research on further development of ATTA methods.

physics.geo-ph↗
arXiv2013

Laser Probing of Neutron-Rich Nuclei in Light Atoms

The neutron-rich 6He and 8He isotopes exhibit an exotic nuclear structure that consists of a tightly bound 4He-like core with additional neutrons orbiting at a relatively large distance, forming a halo. Recent experimental efforts have succeeded in laser trapping and cooling these short-lived, rare helium atoms, and have measured the atomic isotope shifts along the 4He-6He-8He chain by performing laser spectroscopy on individual trapped atoms. Meanwhile, the few-electron atomic structure theory, including relativistic and QED corrections, has reached a comparable degree of accuracy in the calculation of the isotope shifts. In parallel efforts, also by measuring atomic isotope shifts, the nuclear charge radii of lithium and beryllium isotopes have been studied. The techniques employed were resonance ionization spectroscopy on neutral, thermal lithium atoms and collinear laser spectroscopy on beryllium ions. Combining advances in both atomic theory and laser spectroscopy, the charge radii of these light halo nuclei have now been determined for the first time independent of nuclear structure models. The results are compared with the values predicted by a number of nuclear structure calculations, and are used to guide our understanding of the nuclear forces in the extremely neutron-rich environment.

nucl-ex↗
arXiv2013

Efficient, Tightly-Confined Trapping of 226Ra

We demonstrate a technique for transferring $^{226}$Ra atoms from a 3-dimensional magneto-optical-trap (MOT) into a standing wave optical dipole trap (ODT) in an adjacent chamber. The resulting small trapping volume (120 $μ$m in diameter) allows for high control of the electric and magnetic fields applied to the atoms. The atoms are first transferred to a traveling-wave optical dipole trap, which is then translated 46 cm to a science chamber. The atoms are subsequently transferred into an orthogonal standing-wave ODT by application of a 1-dimensional MOT along the traveling-wave axis. For each stage, transfer efficiencies exceeding 60% are demonstrated.

physics.atom-ph↗