Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan

Quantum Degenerate Gases of Ytterbium Atoms

Yosuke Takasu, Yoshiro Takahashi

Published Jan 13, 2009• 23 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We describe in detail our recent experiments on quantum degenerate gases of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. Up to now Bose–Einstein condensates of 174 Yb and 170 Yb, and a Fermi degenerate gas of 173 Yb have been realized by efficient evaporative cooling in a crossed far-off resonant trap. Our studies showed that the efficient escape from the trap and rapid thermalization are important for efficient evaporative cooling. We also describe some recent experiments using Yb Bose–Einstein condensates such as the achievement of a scalar atom laser, the observation of an optical coherent transient, and successful loading into an optical lattice. Finally, the future prospects using Yb quantum degenerate gases are discussed in detail.

DOI
10.1143/jpsj.78.012001

Related papers

Quantum-degenerate gases of Ytterbium atoms

Yosuke Takasu, Takeshi Fukuhara, Masaaki Kitagawa +2 more

Evaporative cooling of ultracold Yb atoms near the quantum-degenerate regime was experimentally studied. Three bosons of 170 Yb, 172 Yb, 176 Yb and two fermions of 171 Yb and 173 Yb were evaporatively cooled in a crossed far-off resonant trap (FORT). We observed that 170 Yb and 172 Yb were not concentrated into the crossed region. We found that, in the cases of 176 Yb atoms, atoms were concentrated well into the crossed region. The following evaporative cooling in the crossed region, however, did not work well. We performed the simultaneous trapping and sympathetic cooling in the crossed FORT by use of 172 Yb-174Yb, 174 Yb- 176 Yb, 172 Yb- 176 Yb, and 171 Yb- 174 Yb pairs. We observed that evaporative cooling worked well. This result shows that we succeeded in the enhancement of the atom collision rate. Especially, by use of 174 Yb- 176 Yb mixture, we obtained cold 176 Yb whose phase space density was 0.02. We observed a large atom loss, which limited the further sympathetic evaporative cooling. We also evaporatively cooled 174 Yb in a 1D optical lattice. Evaporative cooling worked very well because the atoms were initially trapped at a high density. After evaporative cooling, we obtained very cold atoms, and T/T F was estimated to be 1.2.

Laser Physics•Apr 1, 2006•5 citations

Quantum degenerate mixture of ytterbium and lithium atoms

Anders H. Hansen, Alexander Y. Khramov, William H. Dowd +3 more

We have produced a quantum degenerate mixture of fermionic alkali-metal ${}^{6}$Li and bosonic spin-singlet ${}^{174}$Yb gases. This was achieved using sympathetic cooling of lithium atoms by evaporatively cooled ytterbium atoms in a far-off-resonant optical dipole trap. We observe the coexistence of Bose-condensed ($T/{T}_{\mathrm{c}}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.8$) ${}^{174}$Yb with $2.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ atoms and Fermi degenerate ($T/{T}_{\mathrm{F}}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.3$) ${}^{6}$Li with $1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ atoms. Quasipure Bose-Einstein condensates of up to $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ ${}^{174}$Yb atoms can be produced in single-species experiments. Our results mark a significant step toward studies of few- and many-body physics with mixtures of alkali-metal and alkaline-earth-metal-like atoms, and for the production of paramagnetic polar molecules in the quantum regime. Our methods also establish a convenient scheme for producing quantum degenerate ytterbium atoms in a 1064 nm optical dipole trap.

arXiv:1105.5751•Physical Review A•Jul 22, 2011•83 citations

Creation of 174 Yb Bose—Einstein Condensates in a Crossed FORT

Meng-Jiao Zhang, Xi Zhang, Hui Liu +3 more

Quantum degenerate gases of alkaline-earth-like atoms are unique systems used for quantum simulation, quantum computing and studies of quantum phase transitions. We report an all-optical formation of Bose—Einstein condensates of ytterbium atoms. About 10 6 atoms of 174 Yb are transferred to a far-off-resonance optical trap (FORT) and then cooled by evaporative cooling. Phase transition occurs at the critical temperature of 520 nK. A pure condensate containing approximately 2 × 10 4 atoms has been obtained in the crossed FORT, with an atomic peak density of ∼8 × 10 14 cm −3 . The condensate lifetime exceeds 1 s.

Chinese Physics Letters•Aug 1, 2014•1 citation

Experimental apparatus for generating quantum degenerate gases of ytterbium atoms

Min‐Seok Kim, Moosong Lee, Jeong Ho Han +1 more

We describe our experimental apparatus for generating quantum degenerate gases of bosonic 174Yb and fermionic 173Yb atoms. We use a Zeeman slower to generate a slow atomic beam and collect atoms in a magneto-optical trap formed by 556-nm laser beams without frequency modulations. Laser-cooled ytterbium atoms are transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap and evaporatively cooled to quantum degeneracy. Our system generates a Bose-Einstein condensate containing over 6 × 104 174Yb atoms or a degenerate Fermi gas of about 7 × 104 173Yb atoms at T/T F =0.8(1), where T F is the Fermi temperature of the gas. We highlight the high performance of the Zeeman slower and the home-made frequency-doubling systems for 399-nm and 556-nm lasers.

Journal of the Korean Physical Society•Nov 1, 2015•1 citation

Quantum degenerate gases of ytterbium atoms

Yoshiro Takahashi

Evaporative cooling of ultracold Yb atoms near the quantum-degenerate regime was experimentally studied. Three bosons of 170Yb, 172Yb, 176Yb and two fermions of 171Yb and 173Yb were evaporatively cooled in a crossed far-off resonant trap (FORT). We observed that 170Yb and 172Yb were not concentrated into the crossed region. We found that, in the cases of 176Yb atoms, atoms were concentrated well into the crossed region. The following evaporative cooling in the crossed region, however, did not work well. We performed the simultaneous trapping and sympathetic cooling in the crossed FORT by use of 172Yb-174Yb, 174Yb-176Yb, 172Yb-176Yb, and 171Yb-174Yb pairs. We observed that evaporative cooling worked well. This result shows that we succeeded in the enhancement of the atom collision rate. Especially, by use of 174Yb-176Yb mixture, we obtained cold 176Yb whose phase space density was 0.02. We observed a large atom loss, which limited the further sympathetic evaporative cooling. We also evaporatively cooled 174Yb in a 1D optical lattice. Evaporative cooling worked very well because the atoms were initially trapped at a high density. After evaporative cooling, we obtained very cold atoms, and T/TF was estimated to be 1.2.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2005•0 citations

Creation of quantum-degenerate gases of ytterbium in a compact 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap setup

Sören Dörscher, Alexander Thobe, Bastian Hundt +5 more

We report on the first experimental setup based on a 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap (MOT) scheme to create both Bose-Einstein condensates and degenerate Fermi gases of several ytterbium isotopes. Our setup does not require a Zeeman slower and offers the flexibility to simultaneously produce ultracold samples of other atomic species. Furthermore, the extraordinary optical access favors future experiments in optical lattices. A 2D-MOT on the strong (1)S0 → (1)P1 transition captures ytterbium directly from a dispenser of atoms and loads a 3D-MOT on the narrow (1)S0 → (3)P1 intercombination transition. Subsequently, atoms are transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled evaporatively to quantum degeneracy.

arXiv:1303.1105•Review of Scientific Instruments•Apr 1, 2013•62 citations
We describe in detail our recent experiments on quantum degenerate gases of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. Up to now Bose–Einstein condensates of 174 Yb and 170 Yb, and a Fermi degenerate gas of 173 Yb have been realized by efficient evaporative cooling in a crossed far-off resonant trap. Our studies showed that the efficient escape from the trap and rapid thermalization are important for efficient evaporative cooling. We also describe some recent experiments using Yb Bose–Einstein condensates such as the achievement of a scalar atom laser, the observation of an optical coherent transient, and successful loading into an optical lattice. Finally, the future prospects using Yb quantum degenerate gases are discussed in detail.
Evaporative cooling of ultracold Yb atoms near the quantum-degenerate regime was experimentally studied. Three bosons of 170 Yb, 172 Yb, 176 Yb and two fermions of 171 Yb and 173 Yb were evaporatively cooled in a crossed far-off resonant trap (FORT). We observed that 170 Yb and 172 Yb were not concentrated into the crossed region. We found that, in the cases of 176 Yb atoms, atoms were concentrated well into the crossed region. The following evaporative cooling in the crossed region, however, did not work well. We performed the simultaneous trapping and sympathetic cooling in the crossed FORT by use of 172 Yb-174Yb, 174 Yb- 176 Yb, 172 Yb- 176 Yb, and 171 Yb- 174 Yb pairs. We observed that evaporative cooling worked well. This result shows that we succeeded in the enhancement of the atom collision rate. Especially, by use of 174 Yb- 176 Yb mixture, we obtained cold 176 Yb whose phase space density was 0.02. We observed a large atom loss, which limited the further sympathetic evaporative cooling. We also evaporatively cooled 174 Yb in a 1D optical lattice. Evaporative cooling worked very well because the atoms were initially trapped at a high density. After evaporative cooling, we obtained very cold atoms, and T/T F was estimated to be 1.2.
We have produced a quantum degenerate mixture of fermionic alkali-metal 6{}^{6}6Li and bosonic spin-singlet 174{}^{174}174Yb gases. This was achieved using sympathetic cooling of lithium atoms by evaporatively cooled ytterbium atoms in a far-off-resonant optical dipole trap. We observe the coexistence of Bose-condensed ($T/{T}_{\mathrm{c}}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.8$) 174{}^{174}174Yb with $2.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ atoms and Fermi degenerate ($T/{T}_{\mathrm{F}}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.3$) 6{}^{6}6Li with $1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ atoms. Quasipure Bose-Einstein condensates of up to $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ 174{}^{174}174Yb atoms can be produced in single-species experiments. Our results mark a significant step toward studies of few- and many-body physics with mixtures of alkali-metal and alkaline-earth-metal-like atoms, and for the production of paramagnetic polar molecules in the quantum regime. Our methods also establish a convenient scheme for producing quantum degenerate ytterbium atoms in a 1064 nm optical dipole trap.
Quantum degenerate gases of alkaline-earth-like atoms are unique systems used for quantum simulation, quantum computing and studies of quantum phase transitions. We report an all-optical formation of Bose—Einstein condensates of ytterbium atoms. About 10 6 atoms of 174 Yb are transferred to a far-off-resonance optical trap (FORT) and then cooled by evaporative cooling. Phase transition occurs at the critical temperature of 520 nK. A pure condensate containing approximately 2 × 10 4 atoms has been obtained in the crossed FORT, with an atomic peak density of ∼8 × 10 14 cm −3 . The condensate lifetime exceeds 1 s.
We describe our experimental apparatus for generating quantum degenerate gases of bosonic 174Yb and fermionic 173Yb atoms. We use a Zeeman slower to generate a slow atomic beam and collect atoms in a magneto-optical trap formed by 556-nm laser beams without frequency modulations. Laser-cooled ytterbium atoms are transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap and evaporatively cooled to quantum degeneracy. Our system generates a Bose-Einstein condensate containing over 6 × 104 174Yb atoms or a degenerate Fermi gas of about 7 × 104 173Yb atoms at T/T F =0.8(1), where T F is the Fermi temperature of the gas. We highlight the high performance of the Zeeman slower and the home-made frequency-doubling systems for 399-nm and 556-nm lasers.
Evaporative cooling of ultracold Yb atoms near the quantum-degenerate regime was experimentally studied. Three bosons of 170Yb, 172Yb, 176Yb and two fermions of 171Yb and 173Yb were evaporatively cooled in a crossed far-off resonant trap (FORT). We observed that 170Yb and 172Yb were not concentrated into the crossed region. We found that, in the cases of 176Yb atoms, atoms were concentrated well into the crossed region. The following evaporative cooling in the crossed region, however, did not work well. We performed the simultaneous trapping and sympathetic cooling in the crossed FORT by use of 172Yb-174Yb, 174Yb-176Yb, 172Yb-176Yb, and 171Yb-174Yb pairs. We observed that evaporative cooling worked well. This result shows that we succeeded in the enhancement of the atom collision rate. Especially, by use of 174Yb-176Yb mixture, we obtained cold 176Yb whose phase space density was 0.02. We observed a large atom loss, which limited the further sympathetic evaporative cooling. We also evaporatively cooled 174Yb in a 1D optical lattice. Evaporative cooling worked very well because the atoms were initially trapped at a high density. After evaporative cooling, we obtained very cold atoms, and T/TF was estimated to be 1.2.
We report on the first experimental setup based on a 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap (MOT) scheme to create both Bose-Einstein condensates and degenerate Fermi gases of several ytterbium isotopes. Our setup does not require a Zeeman slower and offers the flexibility to simultaneously produce ultracold samples of other atomic species. Furthermore, the extraordinary optical access favors future experiments in optical lattices. A 2D-MOT on the strong (1)S0 → (1)P1 transition captures ytterbium directly from a dispenser of atoms and loads a 3D-MOT on the narrow (1)S0 → (3)P1 intercombination transition. Subsequently, atoms are transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled evaporatively to quantum degeneracy.