Quantum engineering of atomic phase-shifts in optical clocks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum engineering approach using tailored Raman laser pulses to create ultra-narrow optical transitions in bosonic alkali-earth clocks, reducing light shifts and sensitivity to laser fluctuations for improved clock accuracy.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantum model and simulation method to engineer atomic phase-shifts, achieving cancellation of frequency shifts and reducing uncertainties to the 10$^{-18}$ level.

Findings

Atomic phase-shifts derived for Ramsey and Hyper-Ramsey spectroscopy.

Identification of Raman detunings that cancel frequency shifts.

Reduction of systematic uncertainties to 10$^{-18}$ level.

Abstract

Quantum engineering of time-separated Raman laser pulses in three-level systems is presented to produce an ultra-narrow optical transition in bosonic alkali-earth clocks free from light shifts and with a significantly reduced sensitivity to laser parameter fluctuations. Based on a quantum artificial complex-wave-function analytical model, and supported by a full density matrix simulation including a possible residual effect of spontaneous emission from the intermediate state, atomic phase-shifts associated to Ramsey and Hyper-Ramsey two-photon spectroscopy in optical clocks are derived. Various common-mode Raman frequency detunings are found where the frequency shifts from off-resonant states are canceled, while strongly reducing their uncertainties at the 10$^{-18}$ level of accuracy.