Thermometry via Light Shifts in Optical Lattices

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel thermometry method using light shifts in optical lattices, enabling precise temperature measurement and cooling at nanokelvin scales, with implications for optical clock accuracy.

Contribution

It demonstrates a new frequency-based lattice thermometry technique using differential light shifts, effective at extremely low temperatures and applicable to molecules.

Findings

Achieved nanokelvin temperature measurements

Demonstrated carrier cooling using light shifts

Analyzed impact on optical lattice clock accuracy

Abstract

For atoms or molecules in optical lattices, conventional thermometry methods are often unsuitable due to low particle numbers or a lack of cycling transitions. However, a differential spectroscopic light shift can map temperature onto the line shape with a low sensitivity to trap anharmonicity. We study narrow molecular transitions to demonstrate precise frequency-based lattice thermometry, as well as carrier cooling. This approach should be applicable down to nanokelvin temperatures. We also discuss how the thermal light shift can affect the accuracy of optical lattice clocks.