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  • Featured in Physics
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Determining the 3P0 Excited-State Tune-Out Wavelength of 174Yb in a Triple-Magic Lattice

Tim O. Höhn1,2, René A. Villela1,2, Er Zu1,2, Leonardo Bezzo1,2,*, Ronen M. Kroeze1,2, and Monika Aidelsburger1,2,3,†

  • *Current address: ICFO - Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain.
  • †Contact author: Monika.Aidelsburger@physik.uni-muenchen.de
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PRX Quantum 7, 010303 – Published 6 January, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/32q9-j82c

Abstract

Precise state-dependent control of optical potentials is of great importance for various applications utilizing cold neutral atoms. In particular, tune-out wavelengths for the clock state pair in alkaline-earth(-like) atoms provide maximally state-selective trap conditions that hold promise for the realization of novel approaches in quantum computation and simulation. While several ground-state tune-out wavelengths have been determined, similar experimental studies for metastable excited states are challenged by inelastic collisions and Raman losses, so far prohibiting precise measurements of excited-state tune-out conditions. In this work we report on the measurement of a tune-out wavelength for the metastable 3P0 clock state in 174Yb at 519.920(9) THz. In order to circumvent collisional losses, we isolate individual 3P0 atoms in a two-dimensional clock-magic-wavelength lattice at 759 nm. To minimize the limitation imposed by Raman scattering, we further implement resolved sideband cooling on the clock transition, which allows us to reduce the lattice depth and surpass lifetimes of 5 s. The precision of the tune-out measurement is further enhanced by fluorescence imaging in a triple-magic configuration, where we implement molasses cooling on the 3P1 intercombination line and identify a magic angle of 38.5(9)∘ in the clock-magic lattice.

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synopsis

A Color Ignored by Atoms

Published 6 January, 2026

At a newly identified wavelength, trapping light avoids disturbing a specific excited atomic state.

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Optical trapping of neutral atoms is central to many quantum technologies, but the trapping light typically shifts atomic energy levels and can introduce uncontrolled errors. A tune-out wavelength is a specific color of light where a selected atomic state remains unaffected by the trap. In this work, we identify such a tune-out condition for the long-lived clock state of ytterbium. This enables strongly state-selective trapping, which is highly relevant for quantum computing and simulation experiments.

Probing tune-out conditions for excited states is challenging because these atoms are susceptible to collisional losses and unwanted scattering from the trapping light. We address this by working with individually trapped atoms in an optical lattice operated at the magic wavelength, where the ground and clock states experience the same trapping potential. We then apply cooling directly on the clock transition to allow us to retain the atoms in a shallow lattice, which suppresses detrimental Raman scattering. For precise readout, we further identify a magic angle at which residual light shifts for a third state are minimized, allowing us to cool and thus retain the atoms while collecting fluorescence light.

This imaging modality enables the construction of a quantum gas microscope with a magic-wavelength lattice, while knowledge of the tune-out wavelength unlocks a pathway to shuttle atoms to a desired position without disturbing atoms nearby, which can boost the scalability of quantum processors. Furthermore, the short lattice wavelength combined with three trap-insensitive states can be used to study new interactions between light and atomic matter.

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PRX Quantum 7, 010303– Published 6 January, 2026
  • Received 25 June 2025
  • Accepted 3 November 2025
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