Determining the $^3$P$_0$ excited-state tune-out wavelength of $^{174}$Yb in a triple-magic lattice

TL;DR

This paper reports the precise measurement of a tune-out wavelength for the metastable $^3$P$_0$ state in $^{174}$Yb, achieved by isolating atoms in a triple-magic lattice and employing advanced cooling and imaging techniques to overcome collisional and scattering limitations.

Contribution

First measurement of the $^3$P$_0$ excited-state tune-out wavelength in $^{174}$Yb using innovative isolation and cooling methods in a triple-magic lattice.

Findings

Measured tune-out wavelength at 519.920(9) THz.

Achieved atom lifetimes exceeding 5 seconds.

Identified a magic angle of 38.5(9) degrees in the lattice.

Abstract

Precise state-dependent control of optical potentials is of great importance for various applications utilizing cold neutral atoms. In particular, tune-out wavelengths for the clock state pair in alkaline-earth(-like) atoms provide maximally state-selective trap conditions that hold promise for the realization of novel approaches in quantum computation and simulation. While several ground-state tune-out wavelengths have been determined, similar experimental studies for metastable excited states are challenged by inelastic collisions and Raman losses, so far prohibiting precise measurements of excited-state tune-out conditions. In this work we report on the measurement of a tune-out wavelength for the metastable $^3$P$_0$ clock state in $^{174}$Yb at $519.920(9)\,$THz. In order to circumvent collisional losses, we isolate individual $^3$P$_0$ atoms in a clock-magic-wavelength lattice at $759\,$nm. To minimize the limitation imposed by Raman scattering, we further implement resolved sideband cooling on the clock transition, which allows us to reduce the lattice depth and surpass lifetimes of $5\,$s. The precision of the tune-out measurement is further enhanced by fluorescence imaging in a triple-magic configuration, where we implement molasses cooling on the $^3$P$_1$ intercombination line and identify a magic angle of $38.5(9)^\circ$ in the clock-magic lattice.