© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

arXiv:2501.01843 · Review of Scientific Instruments

A stable phase-locking-free single beam optical lattice with multiple configurations

Yirong Wang, Xiaoyu Dai, Xue Zhao, Guangren Sun, Kuiyi Gao, Wei Zhang

Published Dec 1, 2025• 0 citations

Abstract

Optical lattices formed by interfering laser beams are widely used to trap and manipulate atoms for quantum simulation, metrology, and computation. To stabilize optical lattices in experiments, it is usually challenging to implement delicate phase-locking systems with complicated optics and electronics to reduce the relative phase fluctuation of multiple laser beams. Here, we report a phase-locking-free scheme to implement an optical lattice by passing a single laser beam through a prism with n-fold symmetric facets and large apex angles. The scheme ensures a stable optical lattice since the interference occurs among different deflected parts of a single laser beam. Various lattice configurations, including a triangular lattice and a quasi-crystalline lattice with tenfold symmetry, are demonstrated. In both cases, stability measurements show a change of lattice constant and a drift of lattice position of less than 1.14% and 1.61% relative to the lattice constant.

DOI: 10.1063/5.0283738

Related papers

Six-beam optical lattice with intrinsically stable time phases

Arno Rauschenbeutel, Harald Schadwinkel, V. Gomer +1 more

Summary form only given.To manipulate atomic motion by laser radiation in two or three dimensions, atoms are usually exposed to several laser beams whose interference pattern results from the light-atom interaction and hence the atom dynamics. In general, the resulting light field crucially depends on the relative phases of the interfering light beams. One method to provide a laser field with a stable intensity and polarization configuration is to reduce the number of beams.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Nov 27, 2002•0 citations

Generation of multiple power-balanced laser beams for quantum-state manipulation experiments with phase-stable double optical lattices

S.J.H. Petra, Anders Kastberg, Peder Sjölund

We present a method to obtain power-balanced laser beams for doing quantum-state manipulation experiments with phase-stable double optical lattices. Double optical lattices are constructed using four pairs of overlapped laser beams with different frequency. Our optical scheme provides a phase stability between the optical lattices of 5 mrad/s and laser beams with a very clean polarisation state resulting in a power imbalance in the individual laser beams of less than 1%.

•Dec 16, 2005•5 citations

Wavelength-limited optical accordion

Junheng Tao, Yuzhuo Wang, Yizun He +1 more

We demonstrate a method to create dynamic optical lattices with lattice constant tunable down to the optical wavelength limit. The periodicity of 1D lattice is to be adjusted by rotating the incoming direction of one of the two interfering laser beams with its fiber port. The relative phase between the stationary and rotating lasers are stabilized with a heterodyne phase-lock loop (Ma et al, Opt. Lett. 19, 1777, 1994), by reflecting part of the rotating laser beam back from a cylindrical mirror near the experiment. Our preliminary demonstration shows tuning of lattice constant λ2sinθ/2, limited by our imaging resolution, between θ = 3° and 20°, with stable and tunable phase. The results can be extended to achieve lattice constant tuning range from ∼ 10λ down to λ/2. We discuss extension of the demonstrated scheme for improved vibration suppression, and for lattice utilizing broadband lasers. Finally we propose a 2D accordion lattice design for quantum gas experiments.

Optics Express•May 22, 2018•6 citations

Generation of multiple power-balanced laser beams for quantum-state manipulation experiments with phase-stable double optical lattices

S J H Petra, P Sjölund, Anders Kastberg

We present a method to obtain power-balanced laser beams for doing quantum-state manipulation experiments with phase-stable double optical lattices. Double optical lattices are constructed using four pairs of overlapped laser beams with different frequency. Our optical scheme provides a phase stability between the optical lattices of 5 mrad/s and laser beams with a very clean polarisation state resulting in a power imbalance in the individual laser beams of less than 1%.

arXiv:physics/0512150•Journal of Optics A Pure and Applied Optics•Mar 21, 2006•6 citations

Phase-Stable Free-Space Optical Lattices for Trapped Ions

Christian Tomás Schmiegelow, Henning Kaufmann, Thomas Ruster +5 more

We demonstrate control of the absolute phase of an optical lattice with respect to a single trapped ion. The lattice is generated by off-resonant free-space laser beams, and we actively stabilize its phase by measuring its ac-Stark shift on a trapped ion. The ion is localized within the standing wave to better than 2% of its period. The locked lattice allows us to apply displacement operations via resonant optical forces with a controlled direction in phase space. Moreover, we observe the lattice-induced phase evolution of spin superposition states in order to analyze the relevant decoherence mechanisms. Finally, we employ lattice-induced phase shifts for inferring the variation of the ion position over the 157 μm range along the trap axis at accuracies of better than 6 nm.

arXiv:1507.05207•Physical Review Letters•Jan 21, 2016•27 citations

Achieving Laser Wavelength Stability for Use in Neutral Atom Quantum Computing

Jennifer H. Rushing

Quantum computing may still be decades away from realization but the pieces necessary for the construction of the first quantum chip are beginning to come together. One piece still eluding researchers is the ability to address individual atoms within a scalable quantum chip structure. The resolution to this issue may be found in any one of several promising implementations, including the use of neutral atoms trapped in 2D optical lattices. One method of constructing such lattices, which has been shown to be computationally viable, employs the diffraction pattern just behind a circular aperture. Laser wavelength stability plays a crucial role in this approach, which entails constructing a 2D optical lattice with an array of pinholes, populating the lattice with atoms collected by a magneto optical trap (MOT), and manipulating the atoms trapped within the lattice structure for quantum computations. Experimental work was done toward achieving the laser wavelength stability required for these tasks. First, we investigated inadequate temperature control of the laser diodes and a thermal mass issue attributed to the laser mounts was resolved. We proceeded to analyze the electronics of the laser locking feedback system, which were failing to hold the lasers steady at a desired wavelength. Several noise sources contributing to signal instability were identified and eliminated, but drifting of the error signal was persistent. A subsequent fix was then made to the locking electronics and sufficient laser wavelength stability was demonstrated when atoms were trapped for the first time in the Cal Poly MOT on September 2, 2011.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations

Optical lattices formed by interfering laser beams are widely used to trap and manipulate atoms for quantum simulation, metrology, and computation. To stabilize optical lattices in experiments, it is usually challenging to implement delicate phase-locking systems with complicated optics and electronics to reduce the relative phase fluctuation of multiple laser beams. Here, we report a phase-locking-free scheme to implement an optical lattice by passing a single laser beam through a prism with n-fold symmetric facets and large apex angles. The scheme ensures a stable optical lattice since the interference occurs among different deflected parts of a single laser beam. Various lattice configurations, including a triangular lattice and a quasi-crystalline lattice with tenfold symmetry, are demonstrated. In both cases, stability measurements show a change of lattice constant and a drift of lattice position of less than 1.14% and 1.61% relative to the lattice constant.

We demonstrate a method to create dynamic optical lattices with lattice constant tunable down to the optical wavelength limit. The periodicity of 1D lattice is to be adjusted by rotating the incoming direction of one of the two interfering laser beams with its fiber port. The relative phase between the stationary and rotating lasers are stabilized with a heterodyne phase-lock loop (Ma et al, Opt. Lett. 19, 1777, 1994), by reflecting part of the rotating laser beam back from a cylindrical mirror near the experiment. Our preliminary demonstration shows tuning of lattice constant λ2sinθ/2, limited by our imaging resolution, between θ = 3° and 20°, with stable and tunable phase. The results can be extended to achieve lattice constant tuning range from ∼ 10λ down to λ/2. We discuss extension of the demonstrated scheme for improved vibration suppression, and for lattice utilizing broadband lasers. Finally we propose a 2D accordion lattice design for quantum gas experiments.

We demonstrate control of the absolute phase of an optical lattice with respect to a single trapped ion. The lattice is generated by off-resonant free-space laser beams, and we actively stabilize its phase by measuring its ac-Stark shift on a trapped ion. The ion is localized within the standing wave to better than 2% of its period. The locked lattice allows us to apply displacement operations via resonant optical forces with a controlled direction in phase space. Moreover, we observe the lattice-induced phase evolution of spin superposition states in order to analyze the relevant decoherence mechanisms. Finally, we employ lattice-induced phase shifts for inferring the variation of the ion position over the 157 μm range along the trap axis at accuracies of better than 6 nm.

Quantum computing may still be decades away from realization but the pieces necessary for the construction of the first quantum chip are beginning to come together. One piece still eluding researchers is the ability to address individual atoms within a scalable quantum chip structure. The resolution to this issue may be found in any one of several promising implementations, including the use of neutral atoms trapped in 2D optical lattices. One method of constructing such lattices, which has been shown to be computationally viable, employs the diffraction pattern just behind a circular aperture. Laser wavelength stability plays a crucial role in this approach, which entails constructing a 2D optical lattice with an array of pinholes, populating the lattice with atoms collected by a magneto optical trap (MOT), and manipulating the atoms trapped within the lattice structure for quantum computations. Experimental work was done toward achieving the laser wavelength stability required for these tasks. First, we investigated inadequate temperature control of the laser diodes and a thermal mass issue attributed to the laser mounts was resolved. We proceeded to analyze the electronics of the laser locking feedback system, which were failing to hold the lasers steady at a desired wavelength. Several noise sources contributing to signal instability were identified and eliminated, but drifting of the error signal was persistent. A subsequent fix was then made to the locking electronics and sufficient laser wavelength stability was demonstrated when atoms were trapped for the first time in the Cal Poly MOT on September 2, 2011.