Ultracold lanthanides: from optical clock to a quantum simulator
Gulnara A. Vishnyakova, Artem A. Golovizin, Елена Сергеевна Калганова +5 more
We review the current research on precision spectroscopy and quantum optics applications of laser-cooled lanthanides. We discuss the specific electronic structure of hollow atoms, which determine prospects for application in optical frequency standards and in quantum simulators based on spin interactions in optical lattices. Using the example of the thulium atom, we describe the specifics of laser cooling, optical lattice trapping techniques, and clock transition spectroscopy using spectrally narrow lasers.
Physics-Uspekhi•Feb 14, 2016•22 citations