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Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs

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Quantum coherence between two atoms beyond Q=10(15).

C W Chou¹, D B Hume, M J Thorpe

¹Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA. chinwen@nist.gov

Physical Review Letters

|May 24, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers achieved precise frequency comparisons of aluminum ions (Al(+)) using quantum superposition, reaching fractional uncertainties of 3.7×10(-16)/√[τ/s]. This quantum coherence method advances atomic clock accuracy and ion state detection.

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Area of Science:

Quantum physics
Atomic spectroscopy
Ion trap technology

Background:

Precise frequency comparisons are crucial for advancing atomic clocks and fundamental physics tests.
Maintaining quantum coherence in multi-atom systems is challenging but essential for high-precision measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and demonstrate a novel method for high-precision frequency comparison of two aluminum ions (Al(+)).
To leverage quantum coherence for enhanced measurement accuracy beyond probe radiation decoherence.
To enable individual quantum state detection in a multi-ion chain without spatial resolution.

Main Methods:

Preparing two aluminum ions in quantum superposition states.
Observing coherent phase evolution over 3.4×10(15) cycles.
Utilizing correlation signals from entangled ions to extract relative phase information.
Developing a non-spatial-resolving detection method for individual ion states within a linear ion chain.

Main Results:

Achieved a fractional frequency uncertainty of 3.7(-0.8)(+1.0)×10(-16)/√[τ/s] for the frequency comparison of two Al(+) ions.
Reported a Q factor derived from quantum coherence of 3.4(-1.1)(+2.4)×10(16).
Measured a spectroscopic Q factor of 6.7×10(15) for a Ramsey time of 3 seconds.
Successfully demonstrated the detection of individual quantum states of two Al(+) ions in a Mg(+)-Al(+)-Al(+) chain.

Conclusions:

Quantum superposition and coherence provide a robust method for high-accuracy frequency comparisons, even after probe decoherence.
The demonstrated technique significantly enhances the precision of atomic measurements and the Q factor of quantum systems.
The non-spatial-resolving state detection method offers a new capability for complex ion trap systems.