Imaging Optical Frequencies with 100  μHz Precision and 1.1  μm Resolution.

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics
• Quantum Metrology
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Optical atomic clocks are crucial for precision measurements.
• Degenerate Fermi gases offer unique platforms for quantum studies.
• Mott-insulating states present novel many-body physics phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement high-resolution imaging spectroscopy on lattice-trapped degenerate fermionic strontium.
• To demonstrate and characterize atomic coherence on the optical clock transition.
• To achieve record frequency precision and spectral linewidth.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing imaging spectroscopy with micron spatial resolution and submillihertz spectral precision.
• Trapping degenerate fermionic strontium atoms in a Mott-insulating state.
• Measuring atomic coherence times and evaluating trapping light shifts rapidly.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated atomic coherence for up to 15 seconds.
• Achieved a record frequency precision of 2.5×10⁻¹⁹.
• Recorded a 150 mHz linewidth, the narrowest observed Rabi line shape on a coherent optical transition.
• Performed the most rapid evaluation of trapping light shifts.

Conclusions:

• The combination of high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy is a powerful emerging capability.
• This technique will enhance atomic clock precision.
• It provides a pathway for studying many-body interactions and testing fundamental physics.