Coherent optical-microwave interface for manipulation of low-field electronic clock transitions in 171Yb3+:Y2SiO5

• Published in: npj quantum information 2023-03, Vol.9 (1), p.21-7, Article 21
• Main Authors: Nicolas, L., Businger, M., Sanchez Mejia, T., Tiranov, A., Chanelière, T., Lafitte-Houssat, E., Ferrier, A., Goldner, P., Afzelius, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 639/766/400/482; 639/766/483/3925; Classical and Quantum Gravitation; Magnetic fields; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Computing; Quantum Field Theories; Quantum Information Technology; Quantum Physics; Relativity Theory; Spintronics; String Theory; Temperature
• ISSN: 2056-6387; 2056-6387
• DOI: 10.1038/s41534-023-00687-8

The coherent interaction of solid-state spins with both optical and microwave fields provides a platform for a range of quantum technologies, such as quantum sensing, microwave-to-optical quantum transduction and optical quantum memories. Rare-earth ions with electronic spins are interesting in this context. In this work, we use a loop-gap microwave resonator to coherently drive optical and microwave clock transitions simultaneously in a 171 Yb 3+ :Y 2 SiO 5 crystal, achieving a Rabi frequency of 0.56 MHz at 2.497 GHz over a 1-cm long crystal. Furthermore, we provide insights into the spin dephasing at very low fields, showing that superhyperfine-induced collapse of the Hahn echo plays an important role. Our calculations and measurements reveal that the effective magnetic moment can be manipulated in 171 Yb 3+ :Y 2 SiO 5 , which suppresses the superhyperfine interaction at the clock transition. At a doping concentration of 2 ppm and 3.4 K, we achieve spin coherence time of 10.0 ± 0.4 ms.