In quantum logic spectroscopy (QLS), one species of trapped ion is used as a sensor to detect the state of an otherwise inaccessible ion species. This extends precision measurements to a broader class of atomic and molecular systems for applications like atomic clocks and tests of fundamental physics. Here, we develop a new technique based on a Schrödinger cat interferometer to address the problem of scaling QLS to larger ion numbers. We demonstrate the basic features of this method using various combinations of ^{25}Mg^{+} logic ions and ^{27}Al^{+} spectroscopy ions. We observe higher detection efficiency by increasing the number of ^{25}Mg^{+} ions. Applied to multiple ^{27}Al^{+}, this method will improve the stability of high-accuracy optical clocks and could enable Heisenberg-limited QLS.In quantum logic spectroscopy (QLS), one species of trapped ion is used as a sensor to detect the state of an otherwise inaccessible ion species. This extends precision measurements to a broader class of atomic and molecular systems for applications like atomic clocks and tests of fundamental physics. Here, we develop a new technique based on a Schrödinger cat interferometer to address the problem of scaling QLS to larger ion numbers. We demonstrate the basic features of this method using various combinations of ^{25}Mg^{+} logic ions and ^{27}Al^{+} spectroscopy ions. We observe higher detection efficiency by increasing the number of ^{25}Mg^{+} ions. Applied to multiple ^{27}Al^{+}, this method will improve the stability of high-accuracy optical clocks and could enable Heisenberg-limited QLS.

arXiv:2207.11768Physical Review LettersNov 2, 20226 citations

Frequency Comparison of Two High-Accuracy Al + Optical Clocks

C. W. Chou, David B. Hume, Jeroen C. J. Koelemeij +2 more

We have constructed an optical clock with a fractional frequency inaccuracy of 8.6x10{-18}, based on quantum logic spectroscopy of an Al+ ion. A simultaneously trapped Mg+ ion serves to sympathetically laser cool the Al+ ion and detect its quantum state. The frequency of the {1}S{0}<-->{3}P{0} clock transition is compared to that of a previously constructed Al+ optical clock with a statistical measurement uncertainty of 7.0x10{-18}. The two clocks exhibit a relative stability of 2.8x10{-15}tau{-1/2}, and a fractional frequency difference of -1.8x10{-17}, consistent with the accuracy limit of the older clock.We have constructed an optical clock with a fractional frequency inaccuracy of 8.6x10{-18}, based on quantum logic spectroscopy of an Al+ ion. A simultaneously trapped Mg+ ion serves to sympathetically laser cool the Al+ ion and detect its quantum state. The frequency of the {1}S{0}<-->{3}P{0} clock transition is compared to that of a previously constructed Al+ optical clock with a statistical measurement uncertainty of 7.0x10{-18}. The two clocks exhibit a relative stability of 2.8x10{-15}tau{-1/2}, and a fractional frequency difference of -1.8x10{-17}, consistent with the accuracy limit of the older clock.

arXiv:0911.4527Physical Review LettersFeb 17, 2010899 citations

Raman sideband cooling of $^{25}$ Mg $^+$ - $^{27}$ Al $^+$ ions pair and observation of quantum logic spectraRaman sideband cooling of $^{25}$Mg$^+$ -$^{27}$Al$^+$ ions pair and observation of quantum logic spectra

Hongli Liu, Ze-Tian Xu, Ma, Zhi-Yu +8 more

We perform quantum logic spectroscopy (QLS) on $^{27}$ Al $^+$ ion $^1$ S $_0$ - $^3$ P $_1$ transition, which is an important step toward the QLS based $^{27}$ Al $^+$ ion optical clock. As a precondition of QLS, both the stretch (STR) mode and the common (COM) mode of the $^{27}$ Al $^+$ and $^{25}$ Mg $^+$ ions pair are cooled to the vibrational ground state by Raman sideband cooling. The mean phonon number is measured to be 0.10(1) for the STR mode and 0.01(1) for the COM mode, respectively. The heating rate is evaluated to be 13(3) phonons/s for the STR mode and 5.5(1) phonons/s for the COM mode.We perform quantum logic spectroscopy (QLS) on $^{27}$Al$^+$ ion $^1$S$_0$ - $^3$P$_1$ transition, which is an important step toward the QLS based $^{27}$Al$^+$ ion optical clock. As a precondition of QLS, both the stretch (STR) mode and the common (COM) mode of the $^{27}$Al$^+$ and $^{25}$Mg$^+$ ions pair are cooled to the vibrational ground state by Raman sideband cooling. The mean phonon number is measured to be 0.10(1) for the STR mode and 0.01(1) for the COM mode, respectively. The heating rate is evaluated to be 13(3) phonons/s for the STR mode and 5.5(1) phonons/s for the COM mode.

arXiv:1902.09716Feb 26, 20190 citations

Collective Quantum Logic Spectroscopy

Raphael Kaubruegger, Matthew Patkowski, Yicheng Zhang +3 more

Scaling trapped-ion quantum sensors from single ions to large ensembles is a key challenge for next-generation precision measurements. At the same time, many ion species of interest for optical clocks and tests of fundamental physics lack closed cycling transitions required for direct laser cooling and state detection. Collective quantum logic spectroscopy addresses both limitations by coupling an ensemble of sensor, or spectroscopy, ions to one or more logic ions that provide sympathetic cooling and state readout. Here, we establish the fundamental performance limits and operating regimes of this protocol, identifying how the interaction strength, interrogation time, and logic-ensemble size govern sensitivity, dynamic range, and robustness to experimental imperfections. We show that quantum-limited sensitivity can be retained even with a single logic ion, while increasing the number of logic ions substantially improves readout efficiency and robustness. Beyond precision metrology, the same collective interface enables many-body measurements relevant to quantum information processing, including parity measurements and stabilizer-like syndrome extraction. Our results establish collective quantum logic spectroscopy as a scalable framework for optical clocks, quantum-enhanced sensing, and trapped-ion quantum information processing.Scaling trapped-ion quantum sensors from single ions to large ensembles is a key challenge for next-generation precision measurements. At the same time, many ion species of interest for optical clocks and tests of fundamental physics lack closed cycling transitions required for direct laser cooling and state detection. Collective quantum logic spectroscopy addresses both limitations by coupling an ensemble of sensor, or spectroscopy, ions to one or more logic ions that provide sympathetic cooling and state readout. Here, we establish the fundamental performance limits and operating regimes of this protocol, identifying how the interaction strength, interrogation time, and logic-ensemble size govern sensitivity, dynamic range, and robustness to experimental imperfections. We show that quantum-limited sensitivity can be retained even with a single logic ion, while increasing the number of logic ions substantially improves readout efficiency and robustness. Beyond precision metrology, the same collective interface enables many-body measurements relevant to quantum information processing, including parity measurements and stabilizer-like syndrome extraction. Our results establish collective quantum logic spectroscopy as a scalable framework for optical clocks, quantum-enhanced sensing, and trapped-ion quantum information processing.

quant-pharXiv:2608.20471Aug 24, 20260 citations

Raman sideband cooling of

^{25}

^+

^{27}

^+

ions pair and observation of quantum logic spectra

We perform quantum logic spectroscopy (QLS) on

^{27}

^+

ion

^1

_0

^3

_1

transition, which is an important step toward the QLS based

^{27}

^+

ion optical clock. As a precondition of QLS, both the stretch (STR) mode and the common (COM) mode of the

^{27}

^+

and

^{25}

^+

ions pair are cooled to the vibrational ground state by Raman sideband cooling. The mean phonon number is measured to be 0.10(1) for the STR mode and 0.01(1) for the COM mode, respectively. The heating rate is evaluated to be 13(3) phonons/s for the STR mode and 5.5(1) phonons/s for the COM mode.