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  • Open Access

Site-selective preparation of two-dimensional dipolar quantum gases in an optical beat-note lattice

Niclas Höllrigl1,2, Marian Kreyer1, Rudolf Grimm1,2, and Emil Kirilov1,2,*

  • *Contact author: emil.kirilov@uibk.ac.at
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Phys. Rev. A 114, 023322 – Published 24 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8tph-r9fm

Abstract

High-resolution microscopy of two-dimensional dipolar quantum gases requires selecting individual atomic layers, a task complicated for strongly magnetic lanthanide atoms by the limited applicability of standard magnetic-gradient techniques. We present an all-optical method for the deterministic spatial selection of single- and bilayer samples of cold dipolar atoms using spatially selective parametric heating within a beat-note superlattice. By utilizing a high-resolution microscope objective as a common retroreflector for both optical frequency components, the lattice planes are passively stabilized. This renders their positions exceptionally robust against experimental drifts and structure-borne vibrations, even eliminating the need for active laser stabilization over millimeter-scale separations from the reflecting surface. We validate this approach by demonstrating the robust isolation of one or two atomic layers in precise coincidence with the focal plane of our objective. This enables future single-atom-resolved studies of long-range interacting systems.

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Phys. Rev. A 114, 023322– Published 24 August, 2026
  • Received 13 May 2026
  • Accepted 10 August 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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