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Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Isotope dependence of ytterbium Rydberg states

A Miethke, Lakshmi Priya Kozhiparambil Sajith, Axel Görlitz

Published Jun 9, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we present a comprehensive experimental investigation of the isotope dependence of the binding energies of S - and D -Rydberg states in ytterbium. Using two-photon excitation via the intermediate 6 s 6 p 1 P 1 state in a magneto-optical trap, we measured excitation energies for the bosonic isotopes 172 Yb, 174 Yb, and 176 Yb, as well as for the fermionic isotopes 171 Yb ( I = 1 / 2 ) and 173 Yb ( I = 5 / 2 ), covering principal quantum numbers in the range 35 ⩽ n ⩽ 80 . For the bosonic isotopes, the isotope shifts are found to be independent of n , consistent with a single-channel quantum defect model. For 171 Yb, our results confirm previous high-precision measurements and multi-channel quantum defect modeling reported by Peper et al (2025), while for 173 Yb we provide the first detailed Rydberg spectra, revealing a complex level structure consistent with strong hyperfine-induced channel mixing and clear

DOI
10.1088/1361-6455/ae7ad1

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Abstract In this work, we present a comprehensive experimental investigation of the isotope dependence of the binding energies of S - and D -Rydberg states in ytterbium. Using two-photon excitation via the intermediate 6 s 6 p 1 P 1 state in a magneto-optical trap, we measured excitation energies for the bosonic isotopes 172 Yb, 174 Yb, and 176 Yb, as well as for the fermionic isotopes 171 Yb ( I = 1 / 2 ) and 173 Yb ( I = 5 / 2 ), covering principal quantum numbers in the range 35 ⩽ n ⩽ 80 . For the bosonic isotopes, the isotope shifts are found to be independent of n , consistent with a single-channel quantum defect model. For 171 Yb, our results confirm previous high-precision measurements and multi-channel quantum defect modeling reported by Peper et al (2025), while for 173 Yb we provide the first detailed Rydberg spectra, revealing a complex level structure consistent with strong hyperfine-induced channel mixing and clear
High-resolution three-photon laser spectroscopy has been performed for the first time to gain new spectroscopic information. Starting from the $6{s}^{2}^{1}S_{0}$ ground state of Yb, 6s15p1,3P16s15p^{1,3}P_{1}6s15p1,3P1​ Rydberg states were populated by two-photon-resonant, three-photon absorption via the 6s7s1S06s7s^{1}S_{0}6s7s1S0​ intermediate level. As a result of two-photon line narrowing Doppler-free spectra, showing well resolved isotope shifts and hyperfine structures, were obtained. From the hyperfine coupling constants 171,173A(1P1)^{171,173}A(^{1}P_{1})171,173A(1P1​) the singlet-triplet mixing was derived.
Divalent atoms have emerged as powerful alternatives to alkalis in ultracold atom platforms, offering unique advantages arising from their two-electron structure. Among these species, ytterbium (Yb) is especially promising, yet its anionic properties and its Rydberg spectrum remain comparatively unexplored. In this work, we perform a first and comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation of ultralong-range Rydberg molecules (ULRMs) of 174^{174}174Yb in 6sns 1S06sns\,^1S_06sns1S0​ Rydberg states across nearly two decades in principal quantum number nnn and three orders of magnitude in molecular binding energy. Using the Coulomb Green's function formalism, we compute Born-Oppenheimer molecular potentials describing the Rydberg atom in the presence of a ground-state perturber and achieve quantitative agreement with high-resolution molecular spectra. This enables the extraction of low-energy electron-Yb scattering phase shifts, including the zero-energy sss-wave scattering length and the positions of two spin-orbit split ppp-wave shape resonances. Our results provide strong evidence that the Yb−^{-}− anion exists only as a metastable resonance.% We additionally show the sensitivity of ULRM spectra to the atomic quantum defects, using this to determine the quantum defect of the 6s23f 1F36s23f\, ^1F_36s23f1F3​ state. Together, these findings establish Yb ULRMs as a powerful probe of electron-Yb interactions and lay essential groundwork for future Rydberg experiments with divalent atoms.
Working with ytterbium (Yb), we demonstrate dual-isotope magneto-optic traps of extreme experimental simplicity yet containing either fermion-boson or boson-boson isotope pairs. Pairs studied include 171Yb+172Yb{}^{171}{\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{b}+}^{172}\mathrm{Yb}171Yb+172Yb (a fermion-boson mixture) and 176Yb+174Yb{}^{176}{\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{b}+}^{174}\mathrm{Yb}176Yb+174Yb and 174Yb+172Yb{}^{174}{\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{b}+}^{172}\mathrm{Yb}174Yb+172Yb (boson-boson mixtures). Trapping is performed using the Yb ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}$ transition, an uncooled thermal source, and bichromatic trapping beams. Static and dynamic properties of the composite cloud are conveniently probed on the spin-forbidden ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{3}{P}_{1}$ transition. A unique strategy for continuously loading these samples into magnetic traps is described.
Highly excited Rydberg states and their interactions play an important role in quantum computing and simulation. These properties can be predicted accurately for alkali atoms with simple Rydberg level structures. However, an extension of these methods to more complex atoms such as alkaline-earth atoms has not been demonstrated or experimentally validated. Here, we present multichannel quantum defect models for highly excited Yb 174 and Yb 171 Rydberg states with L ≤ 2 . The models are developed using a combination of existing literature data and new, high-precision laser and microwave spectroscopy in an atomic beam, and validated by detailed comparison with experimentally measured Stark shifts and magnetic moments. We then use these models to compute interaction potentials between two Yb atoms, and find excellent agreement with direct measurements in an optical tweezer array. From the computed interaction potential, we identify an anomalous Förster resonance that likely degraded the fidelity of previous entangling gates in Yb 171 using F = 3 / 2 Rydberg states. We then identify a more suitable F = 1 / 2 state, and achieve a state-of-the-art controlled- gate fidelity of F = 0.994 ( 1 ) , with the remaining error fully explained by known sources. This work establishes a solid foundation for the continued development of quantum computing, simulation, and entanglement-enhanced metrology with Yb neutral atom arrays.
Quantum information processing with neutral atoms relies on Rydberg excitation for entanglement generation. While the use of heavy divalent or open-shell elements, such as strontium or ytterbium, has benefits due to their optically active core and a variety of possible qubit encodings, their Rydberg structure is generally complex. For some isotopes in particular, hyperfine interactions are relevant even for highly excited electronic states. We employ multichannel quantum defect theory to infer the Rydberg structure of isotopes with nonzero nuclear spin and perform nonperturbative Rydberg-pair interaction calculations. We find that due to the high level density and sensitivities to external fields, experimental parameters must be precisely controlled. Specifically in Sr 87 , we study an intrinsic Förster resonance, unique to divalent atoms with hyperfine-split thresholds, which simultaneously provides line stability with respect to external field fluctuations and enhanced long-range interactions. Additionally, we provide parameters for pair states that can be effectively described by single-channel Rydberg series. The explored pair states provide exciting opportunities for applications in the blockade regime, as well as for more exotic long-range interactions such as largely flat, distance-independent potentials. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
The MQDT of hyperfine structure is greatly simplified in extremely high Rydberg states. A four (or three)-channel quantum defect model is derived for the hyperfine structure of extremely high Rydberg states of msnd configuration in odd alkaline-earth isotopes, in which the transformation matrix U i(F)i' is given analytically except for one parameter which measures the mixing of singlet 1 D 2 and triple 3 D 2 induced by spin-orbit interaction in even isotopes, and in which the four eigen quantum defects mu i' (i'=1, 2, 3, 4) are related to the quantum defects of the fine structure in even isotopes by mu i' =mod( delta i' ). This model has been used to interpret the observed sublevel structure of 5snd (n>100) configurations in 87 Sr. An excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was achieved.