Coherence of Spin-Polarized Fermions Interacting with a Clock Laser in a Stark-Shift-Free Optical Lattice

TL;DR

This study demonstrates long-lived coherence of spin-polarized ^87Sr atoms in a Stark-shift-free optical lattice interacting with a clock laser, highlighting potential for collision suppression in optical clocks.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of sustained atomic coherence over 1 second in a lattice setup, supporting advancements in optical clock stability.

Findings

Observed collapses and revivals over 50 Rabi cycles

Maintained population oscillations for more than 1 second

Indicated high immunity from decoherence

Abstract

We investigated the coherence of spin-polarized ^{87}Sr atoms trapped in a light-shift-free one-dimensional optical lattice during their interaction with a clock laser on the ^1S_0-^3P_0 transition. Collapses and revivals appeared for more than 50 Rabi cycles, attributed to the thermal distribution of discrete vibrational states in the lattice potential. The population oscillation in the clock states lasted more than 1s, demonstrating high immunity from decoherence. This long atomic coherence suggests the feasibility of Pauli blocking of collisions in optical clock excitation.