Excited-Band Coherent Delocalization for Improved Optical Lattice Clock Performance

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Metrology

Background:

• Atomic clocks are crucial for precise timekeeping.
• Improving systematic uncertainty and instability are key challenges in atomic clock performance.
• Cold-collision shifts and two-body losses degrade clock accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement coherent delocalization in excited lattice bands for enhanced atomic clock performance.
• To suppress cold-collision shifts and two-body losses in ^{171}Yb atoms.
• To investigate the impact of delocalization on atomic spatial distribution and clock metrics.

Main Methods:

• Coherent delocalization implemented in excited lattice bands for ^{171}Yb atoms.
• Utilized a vertically oriented optical lattice.
• Measured trap-light-induced quenching rate and natural lifetime of the ^{3}P_{0} excited state.

Main Results:

• Increased atomic spatial distribution by approximately 7 times.
• Reduced cold-collision shift by 6.5(8) times.
• Made inelastic two-body loss negligible.
• Measured trap-light-induced quenching rate as 5.7(7)×10^{-4} E_{r}^{-1} s^{-1} and natural lifetime as 19(2) s.

Conclusions:

• Coherent delocalization in excited lattice bands is an effective tool for improving atomic clock performance.
• This technique significantly reduces systematic uncertainty and instability.
• The findings pave the way for more precise atomic clocks.