We report on observations of spin dynamics in single ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ ions immersed in a cold cloud of spin-polarized $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms. This species combination has been proposed to be the most suitable system to reach the quantum regime in atom-ion experiments. For $^{174}\mathrm{Yb}^{+}$ , we find that the atomic bath polarizes the spin of the ion by 93(4)% after a few Langevin collisions, pointing to strong spin-exchange rates. For the hyperfine ground states of $^{171}\mathrm{Yb}^{+}$ , we also find strong rates towards spin polarization. However, relaxation towards the $F=0$ ground state occurs after 7.7(1.5) Langevin collisions. We investigate spin impurity atoms as a possible source of apparent spin-relaxation leading us to interpret the observed spin-relaxation rates as an upper limit. Using ab initio electronic structure and quantum scattering calculations, we explain the observed rates and analyze their implications for the possible observation of Feshbach resonances between atoms and ions once the quantum regime is reached.We report on observations of spin dynamics in single ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}$ ions immersed in a cold cloud of spin-polarized $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms. This species combination has been proposed to be the most suitable system to reach the quantum regime in atom-ion experiments. For $^{174}\mathrm{Yb}^{+}$, we find that the atomic bath polarizes the spin of the ion by 93(4)% after a few Langevin collisions, pointing to strong spin-exchange rates. For the hyperfine ground states of $^{171}\mathrm{Yb}^{+}$, we also find strong rates towards spin polarization. However, relaxation towards the $F=0$ ground state occurs after 7.7(1.5) Langevin collisions. We investigate spin impurity atoms as a possible source of apparent spin-relaxation leading us to interpret the observed spin-relaxation rates as an upper limit. Using ab initio electronic structure and quantum scattering calculations, we explain the observed rates and analyze their implications for the possible observation of Feshbach resonances between atoms and ions once the quantum regime is reached.

arXiv:1712.07873Physical Review AJul 27, 201839 citations

Spin polarization in a freely evolving sample of cold atoms

K. Szymaniec, Heung‐Ryoul Noh, Sang Eon Park +1 more

Applied Physics BMar 29, 201324 citations

Manipulation of spin-polarized atoms in an optical dipole-force trap

M. Zielonkowski, Inka B. Manek-Hönninger, U. Moslener +2 more

Ultracold cesium atoms are stored in a novel dipole-force trap, which provides long storage times of spin polarization and facilitates easy Stern-Gerlach selection. The trap consists of a far red-detuned standing light wave, oriented vertically in the field of gravity. By comparing the trapping of a single magnetic substate ( F =4, m F =0) with the simultaneous storage of all sublevels, we measure the decay of spin polarization that results from photon scattering of trap light. We furthermore observe spin precession in an optically induced "fictitious magnetic field".Ultracold cesium atoms are stored in a novel dipole-force trap, which provides long storage times of spin polarization and facilitates easy Stern-Gerlach selection. The trap consists of a far red-detuned standing light wave, oriented vertically in the field of gravity. By comparing the trapping of a single magnetic substate ( F =4, m F =0) with the simultaneous storage of all sublevels, we measure the decay of spin polarization that results from photon scattering of trap light. We furthermore observe spin precession in an optically induced "fictitious magnetic field".

Europhysics Letters (EPL)Dec 15, 19988 citations

Spin waves and spin polarizability in atoms

John Dirk Walecka

Physics Letters AMay 1, 19772 citations

Transfer of Nutating Spin Polarizations between Rb and Cs Atoms

Taro Ito, Noboru Shimomura, T. Yabuzaki

The transfer of nutating spin polarizations between 85 Rb and 133 Cs atoms is observed for the first time. Maximum transfer occurs when the nutation frequencies are made equal in the rotating frames. The nutating spin polarization of 85 Rb atoms is generated by the periodic excitation of the pumping light and the spin polarization transferred to 133 Cs is observed through the Faraday rotation of a probe beam. The observed time evolutions of the spin polarizations are found to be in good agreement with the results of theoretical calculations based on the Bloch type equation of motion including the effects of optical pumping and spin exchange collisions.The transfer of nutating spin polarizations between 85 Rb and 133 Cs atoms is observed for the first time. Maximum transfer occurs when the nutation frequencies are made equal in the rotating frames. The nutating spin polarization of 85 Rb atoms is generated by the periodic excitation of the pumping light and the spin polarization transferred to 133 Cs is observed through the Faraday rotation of a probe beam. The observed time evolutions of the spin polarizations are found to be in good agreement with the results of theoretical calculations based on the Bloch type equation of motion including the effects of optical pumping and spin exchange collisions.

Journal of the Physical Society of JapanAug 15, 19953 citations

We report on observations of spin dynamics in single

{\mathrm{Yb}}^{+}

ions immersed in a cold cloud of spin-polarized

^{6}\mathrm{Li}

atoms. This species combination has been proposed to be the most suitable system to reach the quantum regime in atom-ion experiments. For

^{174}\mathrm{Yb}^{+}

, we find that the atomic bath polarizes the spin of the ion by 93(4)% after a few Langevin collisions, pointing to strong spin-exchange rates. For the hyperfine ground states of

^{171}\mathrm{Yb}^{+}

, we also find strong rates towards spin polarization. However, relaxation towards the

F=0

ground state occurs after 7.7(1.5) Langevin collisions. We investigate spin impurity atoms as a possible source of apparent spin-relaxation leading us to interpret the observed spin-relaxation rates as an upper limit. Using ab initio electronic structure and quantum scattering calculations, we explain the observed rates and analyze their implications for the possible observation of Feshbach resonances between atoms and ions once the quantum regime is reached.