physics.atom-ph

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-13 2 theorems

Axion exchange shifts lithium-like ion energies

Axion-Exchange Contribution to the Energy of Lithium-Like Ions

The effect strengthens with higher nuclear charge, yielding constraints on axion parameters from bismuth spectroscopy.

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Axions and axion-like particles are among the most promising candidates for dark matter and for manifestations of new physics beyond the Standard Model. In the present work, the contribution of axion exchange to the energy of lithium-like ions is investigated within the framework of relativistic bound-state quantum electrodynamics. A formalism for the interelectronic interaction mediated by axion exchange is developed in the Furry picture with finite nuclear size taken into account. Energy shifts are calculated for a wide range of nuclear charge numbers $Z$ and axion masses. The magnitude of the axion-induced contribution is shown to increase with increasing $Z$ for all states considered. Based on the analysis of lithium-like bismuth, constraints on the axion-electron interaction parameters are obtained in the high-mass region. The results indicate that precision spectroscopy of highly charged ions is a promising tool for searches for new physics associated with the exchange of pseudoscalar bosons.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-13 2 theorems

Analytical model gives effusive source intensity for any molecular flow

Analytical emission model for the design of primary effusive sources

Covers transparent to opaque regimes in long tubes and recovers standard axial flux for source design.

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We present an analytical emission model that accurately predicts the properties of effusive sources formed by long collimation tubes. By construction, it captures the full range of molecular flow, from the transparent flux regime, which occurs in highly rarefied gases, to the opaque regime, which arises as the flux increases and interparticle collisions become non-negligible. The model is based on a previously developed secondary-emission-surface approach, improved here to overcome its internal limitations and recover the well-established axial flux intensity. It provides accurate analytical predictions of the angular intensity distribution in the molecular flow regime, offering valuable guidance for the design of efficient primary sources across a broad range of experiments in atomic and molecular physics

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-13 Recognition

Cesium 456 nm MI transitions exceed conventional intensity in kG fields

Observation of Magnetically-Induced atomic transitions of the Cs 6S_{1/2} rightarrow 7P_{3/2} line at 456 nm

Seven forbidden lines gain strength and shift by 17 GHz, suiting blue-light references and high-resolution magnetometry.

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It has recently been demonstrated that magnetically induced (MI) transitions, a class of transitions forbidden at zero magnetic field, of the Cs 6$^2$S$_{1/2} \rightarrow 6^2$P$_{3/2}$ (D$_2$) line, exhibit promising features for high-resolution physics applications in the near-infrared range. In this work, we study a group of seven MI transitions ($F_g = 3 \rightarrow F_e = 5$) of the Cs $6^2$S$_{1/2} \rightarrow 7^2$P$_{3/2}$ line at $\lambda = 456$ nm. The experimental measurements are in very good agreement with theoretical predictions based on the diagonalization of the Zeeman Hamiltonian. In magnetic fields ranging from $0.2-3$ kG, these transitions reach a maximum intensity above that of conventional transitions. Another noteworthy property is their large frequency shift, reaching approximately $17~\mathrm{GHz}$ with respect to the unperturbed hyperfine transitions in magnetic fields of about $3~\mathrm{kG}$. These interesting properties may prove useful for the realization of optical frequency references or magnetometers with sub-micron spatial resolution in the blue region of the spectrum.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-12 2 theorems

Proton-C+ electron-loss calculations match measurements

Electron loss and target excitation in keV-energy proton collisions with B and C⁺

The convergent close-coupling method with multi-electron target structure reproduces experimental values from 10 keV to 1 MeV.

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The one-centre Coulomb-Sturmian convergent close-coupling method is applied to proton collisions with the boron atom and singly charged carbon ion. Here we report an update to our target-structure implementation, in which configuration state functions are constructed using the method of coefficients of fractional parentage. To assess the quality of the structure models for the two targets, we present the excitation energies, oscillator strengths, and dipole polarisabilities obtained from the present configuration interaction calculations. Cross sections for total and state-selective target excitation and electron loss are calculated from 10 keV to 1 MeV. For both systems, the total excitation cross section is found to be dominated by excitation of the $2s$ subshell. This emphasises the importance of a multi-electron description of the target in such scattering calculations. Comparisons with previous theoretical and experimental data are presented and discussed. In particular, we find that the present calculation for the electron-loss cross section in $p$ + C$^{+}$ collisions is in good agreement with the available measurements across the entire overlapping incident-energy range.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-12 Recognition

Kinematic fit reduces dynamic gravimeter noise from 2.69 to 1.68 mGal

Amplitude Modulation Noise Suppression of Dynamic Atom Gravimeters

Modeling how atomic cloud motion creates amplitude modulation noise enables a fit that removes most of it and sharpens phase readings from 0

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Dynamic atom gravimeters enable absolute gravity measurements on moving platforms. However, their performance is severely degraded due to the complex dynamic environment. This paper finds that the amplitude modulation noise (AMN) is a key factor contributing to the degradation of gravity measurement performance. We find that the AMN is induced by the cold atomic cloud trajectory and velocity variation. We build a model to illustrate the principles and magnitude of AMN arising from various experiment processes. Then we propose a method to fit the normalized AMN respect to the kinematic parameters of the cold atomic cloud, and successfully suppress this noise from 0.11 to 0.038 using the fitting result. With this method, we improve the fringe phase resolution from 0.244 rad to 0.092 rad, and reduce the dynamic gravity measurement noise from 2.69 mGal to 1.68 mGal. This study finds and suppresses a key noise source for the dynamic atom gravimeters, which is important for further improving its precision. The proposed method can be also applied for precision enhancement for other dynamic atom interferometer-based sensors, such as the atom gradiometers and gyroscopes.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-11 Recognition

Nuclear size correction to hyperfine splitting grows with Z in muonic atoms

Finite Nuclear Size Corrections on Hyperfine Structure in Muonic Atoms

The reduction factor δ increases monotonically and shows clear dependence on both atomic state and nuclear model, important for precision.

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Finite nuclear size (FNS) effects on the magnetic-dipole hyperfine splitting in muonic hydrogenlike ions are investigated within a fully relativistic Dirac framework. The FNS contribution is quantified through the correction factor $\delta$, defined by $\Delta E_{\mathrm{ext}} = \Delta E_{\mathrm{point}}(1 - \delta)$, where $\Delta E_{\mathrm{ext}}$ is evaluated using Dirac wavefunctions computed for an extended nuclear charge distribution. Two nuclear models are considered: a homogeneously charged sphere and a two-parameter Fermi distribution. Bound-state energies and radial wavefunctions are obtained using a numerical iterative solver, while a semi-analytic matching scheme provides reference values and initial seeds. We present a systematic dataset of $\delta$ values for the $1s$, $2s$, and $2p_{1/2}$ states over a wide range of nuclear charge numbers $Z$. Nuclear-model dependence is quantified, including uncertainties induced by the nuclear radius in the uniform-sphere model. The results show that $\delta$ increases monotonically with $Z$ and exhibits clear state dependence, with reduced magnitude for the $2p_{1/2}$ state relative to $s$ states. A pronounced sensitivity to the nuclear charge distribution is observed, highlighting the importance of realistic nuclear modeling in precision hyperfine studies of muonic atoms.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-11 1 theorem

3D-printed ion trap widens loading zone to capture hot ions without RF drop

Design and fabrication of a micro-ion trap with a 3D-printed loading zone for improved hot-ion capture

Simulations show the expanded separation keeps trapped fraction high across many Mathieu-q values by avoiding temporary voltage reduction.

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We leverage recent advances in 3D-printing technology to design and fabricate a micro-ion trap with a spatially distinct loading zone for more efficient loading of ions from effusive thermal ovens. The design reduces the Mathieu-$q$ parameter in the loading zone by increasing the ion-electrode separation $r_0$, thereby potentially facilitating more effective laser cooling of hot ions. This circumvents the temporary thermal instability that arises when the rf potential is reduced during ion loading, a common practice to enable efficient laser cooling of hot ions. Simulations predict that expanding $r_0$ maintains a high trapped ion fraction from a simulated thermal source across a wide range of Mathieu-$q$ parameters. We demonstrate the manufacturability of this design by 3D-printing the rf rails of a four-rod ion trap and discuss the limitations imposed by state-of-the-art additive manufacturing techniques. We briefly compare hot-ion capture in the three-dimensional design presented here with that in a representative planar trap, illustrating one instance in which the former may be better for loading. The article concludes with an outlook for how this design may be incorporated into a quantum-CCD architecture to enhance ion loading and reduce associated experimental overheads.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-11 Recognition

Long ion chains revive suppressed carrier excitation

Carrier Revival in Long Trapped-Ion Chains

Increasing ion number concentrates the motional spectrum into the carrier far from the single-ion Lamb-Dicke limit.

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For a single trapped ion, the excitation spectrum of a narrow optical transition consists of a Doppler- and recoil-free carrier accompanied by motional sidebands, which are equally spaced by the trap secular frequency and lie under a Doppler-broadened envelope that is shifted by the photon recoil. Outside the Lamb-Dicke regime, the large photon recoil distributes the line strength across many sidebands and suppresses excitation of the carrier. With multiple ions, the motional spectrum becomes dense, and the carrier is further weakened. Here, we predict a counterintuitive revival effect: increasing the number of ions in a linear chain can restore strong carrier excitation even under trapping conditions far from the single-ion Lamb-Dicke regime. Using a quantum-mechanical model of the excitation dynamics in linear ion chains, we find that sufficiently long chains concentrate the spectrum into the carrier. This effect enables efficient excitation of light ions at short wavelengths. It may also benefit multi-ion optical clocks and mixed-species quantum-logic spectroscopy.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-11 Recognition

Metastable J=0 state in Th²⁺ for hyperfine-free nuclear clock

J=0 metastable state of Th²⁺ for a hyperfine-free nuclear clock

Measurements on the 6d² ³P₀ level show no dipole decay and suggest immunity to electron-shell frequency shifts in vacuum.

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We present measurements on a metastable state in $\mathrm{Th}^{2+}$ with the electronic configuration $6d^2\,{}^3P_0\,(5090\ \mathrm{cm^{-1}})$. This is motivated by the prospect of using the state in laser excitation of the low-energy $^{229}$Th nuclear resonance independent from the leading hyperfine interactions. The $6d^2\,{}^3P_0$ state has no dipole-allowed radiative decay channel and is connected to the second ground state $6d^2\,{}^3F_2\,(63\ \mathrm{cm^{-1}})$ through an electric quadrupole transition only. We populate the state by laser excitation at 484~nm via a higher excited level and detect its population in laser-induced fluorescence. The isotope shift of the $J=0$ level between $^{232}\mathrm{Th}^{2+}$ and $^{229}\mathrm{Th}^{2+}$ is determined as a measure of the interaction of electronic and nuclear charge distributions. The lifetime of the level in our ion trap with buffer gas is limited by collisional mixing with the nearby state $5f6d\,{}^3G_3\,(5060\ \mathrm{cm^{-1}})$. In ultrahigh vacuum, it could serve as a hyperfine-free nuclear clock that is largely immune to field-induced frequency shifts via the electron shell.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-11 2 theorems

Quadratic Zeeman shifts calculated for boron-like ions Z=10-24

Quadratic Zeeman effect in light boron-like ions

First-order QED predictions give the magnetic correction to valence-electron binding energies needed for precision g-factor and fine-splitt

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The quadratic Zeeman effect is calculated for the ground $^2P_{1/2}$ state of light boron-like ions in the range of nuclear-charge numbers $Z = 10-24$. The calculations are performed in the Furry picture using three models for the zeroth-order approximation potential: pure nuclear Coulomb potential and two effective screening potentials $-$ core-Hartree and Kohn-Sham. First-order perturbation-theory contributions are considered: the one-photon-exchange correction and the radiative corrections associated with the self-energy and vacuum-polarization diagrams. The dominant contributions from the self-energy diagrams are calculated within a rigorous QED approach. The vacuum polarization corrections are obtained within the electric-loop approximation in the leading order, which is given by the Uehling potential. As a result, theoretical predictions for the contribution of the quadratic Zeeman effect to the binding energy of the valence electron in the $^2P_{1/2}$ state are obtained. The results can be used for the analysis of high-precision $g$-factor and fine-structure splitting measurements in boron-like highly charged ions.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-11 Recognition

Q-value spectra separate Ar2+ states in electron capture

State-resolved electron capture in low-energy Ar2+-Ar/N2 collisions

Coincidence measurements at 40 keV distinguish ground and metastable projectile contributions to capture in argon and nitrogen.

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As a fundamental process in atomic physics, charge exchange relies on quantum state-resolved data that is crucial for various fields such as astrophysics and plasma physics. However, there remains a g in the research on multi-electron target systems. This study aims to investigate the dynamic mechanisms of single/double electron capture in collisions between Ar2+ ions and Ar atoms or N2 molecules at an energy of 40 keV, thereby supplementing high-precision experimental data in this field. The experiment is conducted on the electron beam ion source (EBIS) platform at the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, using the cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy (COLTRIMS) technique. An ion beam containing ground-state Ar2+ (3s^2 3p^(4 3) P) and metastable Ar2+ (3s^2 3p^(4 1) D,(_^1)S) is used as the projectile, colliding with a supersonic Ar/ N2 mixed gas target. Three-dimensional momentum of recoil ions is reconstructed through coincidence measurements of recoil ions and scattered ions, and the Q-value and scattering angle distribution are calculated. Theoretical comparisons are performed using the molecular Coulombic over barrier model (MCBM).

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-07

Elliptical RF polarization creates up to four peaks in Rydberg spectra

Resolving magnetic-sublevel structure in Rydberg Autler-Townes spectra with arbitrary RF polarization

Full multi-level treatment shows how arbitrary polarization mixes sublevels, matching experiments with homogeneous fields.

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We investigate the role of magnetic sublevels in Autler-Townes spectra of Rydberg atoms driven by radio-frequency (RF) fields with arbitrary polarization. While conventional treatments predict two symmetric sidebands from independent mJ transitions, experiments have reported additional unexplained spectral features. We show that these arise from elliptical RF polarization, which coherently couples multiple magnetic sublevels and requires a full multi-level treatment. We develop and diagonalize a Hamiltonian including all coupled mJ sublevels, predicting polarization-dependent degeneracies that produce two, three, or four resolved peaks. Using long-wavelength transitions and an anechoic environment we realize homogeneous RF fields that for the first time enable complete resolution of the mJ-dependent dressed states. We observe excellent agreement with theory as the RF ellipticity is varied. These results demonstrate that RF polarization fundamentally modifies Autler-Townes spectra and provide a consistent framework for interpreting magnetic-sublevel structure, with implications for Rydberg-based RF electrometry and polarimetry.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-07

Atomic calculation sets 45Sc quadrupole moment to 0.222 barn

Hyperfine-structure constants of the ⁴⁵\!Sc II ion and the nuclear quadrupole moment

Hybrid CI-CCSD electric-field gradients match molecular data when combined with measured hyperfine constants.

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In this work, we calculate the hyperfine-structure constants of the $^{45}$Sc$^{+}$ ion using a relativistic hybrid approach that combines configuration-interaction and coupled-cluster singles-and-doubles methods. Magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole hyperfine-structure constants are determined for the states arising from the $3d4s$, $3d^{2}$, $4s^{2}$, $4s4p$, $3d4p$, $3d5s$, $3d4d$, and $3d5p$ configurations. For most of these states, our magnetic-dipole hyperfine-structure constants agree well with available experimental data and represent a substantial improvement over previous theoretical results. By combining our calculated electric-field gradients with the measured electric-quadrupole hyperfine-structure constants for the $^{3}F_{2,3,4}$, $^{3}P_{1,2}$, and $^{1}G_{4}$ states within the $3d^{2}$ configuration, we derive a nuclear quadrupole moment $Q = 0.222(2)$ b, which is fully consistent with the value recently obtained from molecular data ( J. P. Dognon and P. Pyykk\"{o}, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 27, 20453 (2025).).

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-07 2 theorems

Sc+ calculations set 45Sc quadrupole moment at 0.222 b

Hyperfine-structure constants of the ⁴⁵\!Sc II ion and the nuclear quadrupole moment

Atomic electric-field gradients plus measured constants match the latest molecular value.

abstract click to expand

In this work, we calculate the hyperfine-structure constants of the $^{45}$Sc$^{+}$ ion using a relativistic hybrid approach that combines configuration-interaction and coupled-cluster singles-and-doubles methods. Magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole hyperfine-structure constants are determined for the states arising from the $3d4s$, $3d^{2}$, $4s^{2}$, $4s4p$, $3d4p$, $3d5s$, $3d4d$, and $3d5p$ configurations. For most of these states, our magnetic-dipole hyperfine-structure constants agree well with available experimental data and represent a substantial improvement over previous theoretical results. By combining our calculated electric-field gradients with the measured electric-quadrupole hyperfine-structure constants for the $^{3}F_{2,3,4}$, $^{3}P_{1,2}$, and $^{1}G_{4}$ states within the $3d^{2}$ configuration, we derive a nuclear quadrupole moment $Q = 0.222(2)$ b, which is fully consistent with the value recently obtained from molecular data ( J. P. Dognon and P. Pyykk\"{o}, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 27, 20453 (2025).).

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-06

Sr charge radii above N=50 vary with extraction method

Nuclear Charge Radii of Sr Isotopes: Reevaluation based on Transition Frequency Measurements in the 5s-5p-4d manifold in Sr^+

High-precision frequency measurements in Sr+ show that derived nuclear radii depend on whether King plots or ab initio calculations are used

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High-precision quasi-simultaneous collinear/anticollinear laser spectroscopy was performed to measure the $5s$ $^2S_{1/2}\rightarrow 5p$ $^2P_{1/2}$ (D1), the $5s$ $^2S_{1/2}\rightarrow 5p$ $^2P_{3/2}$ (D2), and the three $4d\rightarrow 5p$ transitions in naturally abundant Sr$^+$ isotopes. For absolute transition frequencies, an accuracy of up to 600 kHz was achieved, while common-mode rejection allowed us to extract isotope shifts with uncertainties down to a level of 200 kHz, one order of magnitude better than previously achieved. The uncertainties of the hyperfine-structure coefficients for $^{87}$Sr of the $5p$ states and the $4d$ $^2D_{3/2}$ levels are also improved. A King plot analysis yielded a field-shift ratio of the D2 and D1 lines of $F_\text{D2}/F_\text{D1}=1.004(5)$, which lies within the theoretically allowed region and can be used as a benchmark for atomic structure theory calculations. We use the information from all stable isotopes in the investigated transitions to compare field-shift and mass-shift constants obtained by various techniques regularly used in the literature, ranging from King-plots with purely experimental input to ab initio atomic structure calculations by state-of-the-art theory. We show that in the region above $N=50$, the charge radii are strongly dependent on the approach being used.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-06

Triple MOT traps 10^8 atoms each of two Rb isotopes and Cs

Characterisation of a triple-species {}⁸7Rb/ {}⁸5Rb/ {}¹33Cs magneto-optical trap

Measured Rb-Cs collisions reduce atom numbers by less than 7 percent, leaving the trap viable for multi-species interferometry.

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We present the simultaneous trapping and cooling of ${}^{85}$Rb, ${}^{87}$Rb and ${}^{133}$Cs in a triple-species magneto-optical trap (MOT). This demonstration is obtained using an all-fibre compact and robust laser system based on telecom 1.5 $\mu$m and 2 $\mu$m technologies. We characterise the two-body interspecies losses in the double and triple-species MOT. We calculate the two-body interspecies trap-loss coefficient for the ${}^{85}$Rb/${}^{133}$Cs and the ${}^{87}$Rb/${}^{133}$Cs pairs, representing a variation of less than 7% in atom number. No losses are observed between ${}^{85}$Rb and ${}^{87}$Rb in our experimental conditions. We find that interspecies interactions inside the triple-species MOT do not prevent trapping and cooling 10$^{8}$ atoms for each species, making our system suitable for future applications such as multi-species atom interferometry.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-06

Cold atom cloud reverses trajectories exactly upon force reversal

Kinematic reversibility in a low Reynolds number cold atom fluid

Magneto-optical trap experiment shows reversibility holds despite interactions in the overdamped regime.

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We have investigated kinematic reversibility in a cold atom system under strongly overdamped conditions. In such systems, inertia is negligible, and for noninteracting rigid particles, inverting the external force causes a perfect reversal of individual particle trajectories. We used a magneto-optical trap (MOT) as a model low Reynolds number fluid and show the kinematic reversibility survives in the presence of interparticle interactions. In our experiment, we applied controlled external forces via a linearly ramped magnetic bias field and monitored the resulting cloud dynamics. Despite the complex three-dimensional rearrangement induced by the forces, the system exhibits precise reversibility when the force is reversed, consistent with Purcell's framework for kinematic reversibility in low Reynolds number hydrodynamics. Reversibility was not universal,however-- under certain MOT alignment conditions we have also observed clear deviations associated with system hysteresis. Our work shows that strongly dissipative cold atom fluids are a versatile and rich platform for exploring overdamped dynamics.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-06

Ca Rydberg-ground charge transfer reaches 70 GHz

Theoretical Calculation of Electron Transfer Between Calcium Ground-State Atoms and Rydberg Atoms

Theory shows efficient electron exchange at distances where ultralong-range molecules form and change their dynamics.

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We calculated the electronic interaction associated with the exchange of an electron between an atom of calcium excited to a Rydberg state ($n\sim 10-15$) and another, neighbouring calcium atom in its ground state. In this range the Rydberg states have an energy that is comparable to the electron affinity of Ca, enabling resonant or near resonant charge transfer at large internuclear separations (200-700 $a_0$). We calculated the interaction strength while systematically and critically assessing the approximations made, and found it to be large, ranging from $10^{-5}$ $E_h$ (70 GHz) to $10^{-8}$ $E_h$. Charge transfer is thus expected to be efficient and to significantly affect the molecular dynamics at a range of internuclear distances where ultralong range Rydberg molecules also exist.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-05

Te₂ lines lock lasers at titanium cooling wavelengths

mathrm{¹³⁰Te₂} spectroscopic reference for neutral Ti lines at 391 nm and 498 nm

Absorption resonances near 391 nm and 498 nm yield stable frequency locks for optical pumping and laser cooling of Ti.

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We report on the use of ditellurium ($\mathrm{^{130}Te_2}$) as a frequency reference for laser locking at 391 nm and 498 nm optical wavelengths, which are of interest in titanium (Ti) laser-cooling experiments. In the ultraviolet region near the optical wavelength of 391 nm, 36 previously unobserved transitions were found using laser absorption spectroscopy in a 256 GHz range. Based on the established molecular structure of $\mathrm{^{130}Te_2}$, we attribute these lines to the $\mathrm{0_u^+\rightarrow 0_g^+}$ subsystem of the $\mathrm{^3\Sigma_u^-\rightarrow\ ^3\Sigma_g^-}$ transition with possible vibrational transitions of $\nu=(28,27,26,25,24)\rightarrow 0$ and $(27,26)\rightarrow 1$. We measure the frequencies of these lines, and also of lines near 498 nm wavelength, and subsequently stabilize lasers at wavelengths of 391 nm (and 498 nm) to $\sim$60 MHz ($\sim$50 MHz) wide resonances in $\mathrm{^{130}Te_2}$, near the optical-pumping (laser-cooling) transitions in $\mathrm{^{48}Ti}$. We observe robust laser frequency locks, with Allan deviations of $4.9\times 10^{-10}$ ($3.6\times 10^{-11}$) at 10 s of averaging time for the 391 nm (498 nm) wavelength lasers.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-05

Axion-like particles mediate parity violation between electrons in RaOCH3

Axion-mediated electron-electron interaction in RaOCH₃ molecule

The interaction strength is averaged over the molecule's lowest rovibrational states after core restoration.

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We study the parity-violating electron-electron interaction mediated by the axion-like in the hexatomic molecule of a symmetric top type. The rich rovibrational behavior require electronic computations for multiple molecular configurations which can be reduced using Generalized Relativistic Effective Core Potential. To restore the correct behavior in the core region we use a one-center restoration technique generalized by us earlier to the two-electron properties. The property is averaged on the lowest-lying rovibrational states.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-05

Chirped-seed NOPA produces two tunable colors with adjustable delay

A delay-programmable two-color femtosecond source for multiphoton ionization studies based on chirped-seed NOPA

Dispersion in the seed lets pump-seed timing select spectra, enabling delay-dependent ionization measurements on trapped lithium atoms.

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We demonstrate a delay-programmable two-color femtosecond source based on a chirped-seed noncollinear optical parametric amplifier. Introducing controlled dispersion into the seed enables spectral selection through pump-seed delay, allowing flexible generation of two independently tunable pulse components with adjustable relative timing at high repetition rate. The temporal and spectral properties are characterized using nonlinear optical cross-correlation and dispersion-scan measurements. As a benchmark application, the source is employed in a COLTRIMS-based multiphoton ionization experiment on trapped Li atoms, revealing delay-dependent ionization pathways and demonstrating its suitability for bichromatic ultrafast spectroscopy.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-04 2 theorems

Hg clock line shapes vary with isotopic mass

Isotopic effect on collisional widths and shifts of Hg clock transition induced by cold Rb atoms

Shape resonances in ground and excited Hg-Rb scattering states cause large changes in widths and shifts as reduced mass changes.

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We study the isotopic dependence of collisional widths and shifts of the Hg clock transition $^1$S$_0$-$^3$P$_0$ perturbed by the Rb atoms in the temperature range from 1 nK to 1 K. For this purpose, we model the Born-Oppenheimer effective interaction potential by including the leading long-range van der Waals coefficients. For elastic collisions, we show the connection between the dependence of collision line shape parameters on the reduced mass of colliding partners as well as the variation of the scattering length in the excited and ground states of the Hg-Rb system in the $\upmu$K temperature range. We confront the full quantum scattering calculations with a semi-classical approximation for collisional widths and shifts. We show that the shape resonances in excited and ground scattering states lead to significant variations of collisional line shape parameters with the change of the reduced mass of colliding atoms. We also indicate the possible influence of inelastic collisions, which could lead to universal behavior and significantly affect the dependence of collisional broadening and shifting on the isotopic combination of colliding atoms.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-04

Ultrafast lasers separate isotopes by nuclear spin

Separation of even-even from even-odd isotopes using ultrafast lasers

Even-even isotopologues return fully to ground state while even-odd ones trap a fraction of population, enabling over 90 percent single-pass

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We propose a laser isotope separation mechanism in which selectivity arises from nuclear spin rather than isotope shifts, enabling the use of broadband ultrafast lasers. A Ramsey pulse sequence is applied to paramagnetic molecular isotopologues possessing two electronic states coupled by a dipole transition. For even-even isotopologues (nuclear spin $I = 0$), each electronic state is a single level and the time-reversed sequence returns all population to the ground state exactly. For even-odd isotopologues ($I > 0$), the hyperfine interaction splits each state into multiple levels with coupling amplitudes set by Wigner $6j$ symbols; incommensurate phase evolution during the dark interval prevents the echo from closing, trapping a fraction $P_m$ of the population in the excited manifold. In the impulsive limit ($\Omega \gg A_{\rm HF}$), $P_m$ depends only on the angular momentum quantum numbers $(J_g, J_m, I)$ and is independent of laser intensity or bandwidth. Density matrix simulations confirm $P_m = 0$ for $I = 0$ and $P_m \approx 0.23$-$0.47$ for $I > 0$ across representative systems including ${}^{235}$U, ${}^{87}$Sr, and ${}^{57}$Fe. Under realistic collisional conditions, single-pass enrichment exceeding 90% from natural feed is achievable without cascading.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-01

Crossed lasers map local temperature inside cold atom traps

Spatially Resolved Temperature Measurement Using Rydberg Doppler Broadening Thermometry

Rydberg line broadening from focused perpendicular beams gives position-specific velocity spreads down to nanokelvin scales.

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We demonstrate a technique for spatially resolved temperature measurement utilizing Rydberg Doppler broadening thermometry. This method employs two focused laser beams arranged perpendicularly to excite laser-cooled atoms from the ground state to a Rydberg state via two photon absorption process. Temperature is obtained through the Doppler broadening of the spectral line. The perpendicular configuration allows for selective probing of a specific position within the atomic cloud, enabling localized temperature measurement. This technique, in principle, offers a temperature resolution on the order of \SI{}{\nano\kelvin}, attributed to the exceptionally narrow natural linewidth of the involved rubidium Rydberg transition line. Furthermore, the setup enables the measurement of position-velocity correlations within the cold atom ensemble. The velocity information is extracted through the Doppler shift, whereas the spatial information is inferred from the arrival time of ions detected by a channel electron multiplier detector. We use our method to measure the local temperature in a magneto-optical trap.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-01

Fiber links verify two optical clocks to 7.7×10^{-18} across Europe

International Optical Clock Comparison Using the European Optical Fiber Network

Two-month campaign connects seven clocks at four labs and produces the first international optical-clock verification below 10^{-17}.

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Optical clocks have achieved remarkable estimated fractional frequency uncertainties reaching the $10^{-18}$ level and below, enabling applications in fundamental physics, general relativity, and geodesy. However, the challenge of verifying the international consistency of optical clocks remains critical as efforts intensify toward redefining the SI second based on an optical transition or transitions. We report on a two-month international clock comparison campaign involving seven optical clocks in four national metrology institutes (INRIM, LNE-OP, NPL, and PTB) connected via the optical fiber network established in Europe. The campaign resulted in optical frequency ratios with uncertainties ranging from $7.7\times10^{-18}$ to $6.1\times10^{-17}$. Among the results, the $^{171}$Yb$^+$(E3) clocks at NPL and PTB demonstrated agreement within an uncertainty of $7.7\times10^{-18}$, marking the first international verification of two independently developed optical clocks below one part in $10^{17}$. The operation of the $^{199}$Hg clock at LNE-OP (formerly LNE-SYRTE) resulted in frequency ratios with improved uncertainties with $^{171}$Yb$^+$(E3), $^{171}$Yb, and $^{87}$Sr optical clocks. These results provide input for the redefinition of the second and underscore how fiber-linked clock networks can advance metrology and scientific applications.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-01

Long-range states persist near thresholds in ultracold collisions

Long-range states in collisions of ultracold molecules

These states avoid chaotic short-range mixing, resist laser destruction, and can produce narrow tunable Feshbach resonances.

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We use coupled-channel calculations to explore the nature of near-threshold bound states in a simplified model of Rb+KRb. This is a prototype for systems with very strong coupling at short range and chaotic behavior for the short-range states. We find that there are states with strong long-range character that exist close to threshold and probably persist to depths at least 100 GHz below each threshold. These states are only weakly coupled to the short-range states and do not form part of the chaotic manifold. Since they spend little time at short range, they are relatively insensitive to destruction by laser light. They can thus have long lifetimes that are unrelated to the density of states and can cause narrow Feshbach resonances when the states are shifted across thresholds by external fields.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-01

Th-229 ions can locate nuclear isomer transition in one month

Hyperfine-resolved laser excitation and detection of nuclear isomer in trapped ²²⁹Th³⁺ ions

Modeling predicts 10^5 photons per second detection rates using hyperfine lasers and existing VUV technology.

abstract click to expand

We present a comprehensive theoretical investigation of hyperfine-resolved excitation and detection of the low-energy isomeric state of $^{229}$Th in trapped $^{229}\mathrm{Th}^{3+}$ ions. Using a quantum master equation approach, we analyze the dependence of the isomeric population on laser linewidth, detuning, and irradiation time, showing that their proper matching is essential for efficient excitation. We further propose two nuclear-state detection schemes based on three hyperfine-resolved electronic fluorescence channels at 690, 984, and 1088 nm. Our analysis shows that the 690-nm and 984-nm scheme yields detectable photon rates on the order of $10^4~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$ per ion for each wavelength, whereas the 1088-nm scheme achieves a higher rate on the order of $10^5~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$ per ion. By quantifying the trade-off between irradiation time and scan-step size, we show that the nuclear transition can be located within one month for a 100-MHz uncertainty using currently available vacuum-ultraviolet laser technology. These results provide practical guidance for trapped-ion $^{229}\mathrm{Th}$ spectroscopy and the development of nuclear clocks.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-05-01

Intermediate Coulomb corrections boost rescattering yields in ATI

Intermediate-state Coulomb-corrected strong-field approximation for rescattering processes

Accounting for Coulomb forces while the electron travels between ionization and return matches exact spectra better than final-state fixes.

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We analytically derive the all-order strong-field S-matrix series incorporating intermediate-state Coulomb-Volkov corrections (ICSFA). Focusing on rescattering processes described by the second-order term, we systematically investigate the impact of intermediate-state Coulomb interactions on above-threshold ionization (ATI) spectra of atomic hydrogen in linearly polarized laser fields. Crucially, ICSFA spectra demonstrate superior agreement with the results obtained by numerically solving the time-dependent Schr\"{o}dinger equation compared to the standard strong-field approximation (SFA) and final-state Coulomb-corrected SFA (FCSFA). Our analysis reveals that intermediate-state Coulomb corrections enhance the yield of the third- and fourth-return-recollision trajectories while modifying interference patterns in the energy spectrum. The observed enhancement of the multi-return-recollision trajectories can be attributed to modifications of the ionization yield and scattering cross-section, which are induced by intermediate-state Coulomb effects. These effects are equivalent to the so-called Coulomb focusing effect.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-30

SOA pumping hits 80 fT/sqrt(Hz) in Rb magnetometer

Fast, powerful, low-noise optical pumping of an atomic vapor with semiconductor optical amplifiers

Higher-power SOA amplitude modulation reaches environment-limited sensitivities of 80 fT/sqrt(Hz) at 600 Hz in an Rb OPM.

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We use a $^{87}\text{Rb}$ atomic vapor, suitable for an optically-pumped magnetometer (OPM) in Earth-field conditions, to study the noise properties of three strategies for generating pulsed optical pumping. We compare a frequency-modulated (FM) laser, amplitude modulation (AM) via an acousto-optic modulator (AOM), and amplitude modulation via a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Pumping the ensemble to operate as a Bell-Bloom OPM, and with an equal degree of spin polarization, the three methods give nearly identical sensitivity, showing that the SOA, despite being an active device, can introduce negligible additional noise. Pumping the ensemble to operate as a free-induction-decay OPM, we observe longer unpumped coherence times with the SOA-AM method than with the FM method. Finally, using the higher power available from the SOA, we demonstrate an environment-limited sensitivity of $80\text{fT}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ at $600\text{Hz}$ and 200fT$200\text{fT}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ at $4\text{kHz}$, one to two orders of magnitude beyond what was achievable with the other pumping methods.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-30

Permanent magnets run a working cryogenic Penning trap

Development of a compact cryogenic Penning trap with permanent magnets: An intermediate step toward the Shanghai Penning Trap

Ion generation, transport, confinement, manipulation and detection all succeed in the compact cooled system.

abstract click to expand

Penning traps, renowned for their unparalleled precision in determining fundamental properties such as mass and magnetic moments, are cornerstone instruments in modern physics. Their applications span from nuclear structure studies to stringent tests of quantum electrodynamics and CPT invariance. Although Penning traps have been demonstrated for fundamental studies, often employing superconducting magnets, their high cost and operational complexity remain challenges. In this work, we report the development of a compact cryogenic Penning trap that utilizes a permanent magnet to provide a confining magnetic field, offering a more economical and flexible alternative. We have successfully demonstrated all core functionalities of this system, including ion generation, transport, confinement, manipulation, and signal detection. This compact trap not only serves as a vital technical testbed for the development of the Shanghai Penning Trap, but also establishes a cryogenic Penning-trap experiment platform for ion trapping and cooling applications as well as envisaged spectroscopic studies applications.

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0

physics.atom-ph 2026-04-30

Hydrogen 2S-nS data yield proton radius of 0.8433 fm

Precision Spectroscopy of 2S-nS Transitions in Atomic Hydrogen: A Determination of the Proton Charge Radius

New measurements combined with 1S-2S give radius and Rydberg constant that match CODATA 2022.

abstract click to expand

We present absolute frequency measurements of 2S_{1/2}-nS_{1/2} two-photon transitions with n = 8, 9, and 10 in a cryogenic beam of atomic hydrogen. Each transition has been measured with a fractional uncertainty of approximately 2.6*10^(-12). Combining the results from this work and the 1S_{1/2}-2S_{1/2} transition frequency, we extract a root-mean-square proton radius of r_p = 0.8433(31) fm and a Rydberg frequency of cR_{\infty} = 3,289,841,960,252.9(9.7) kHz. These are in good agreement with the CODATA 2022 recommended values.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-29

Doubly charged cerium monofluoride ions created for new physics searches

Formation of gaseous, doubly charged cerium monofluoride CeF²⁺ and its sensitivity to new physics

Quantum calculations show its electronic structure matches a radioactive candidate, yielding estimates of sensitivity to P and T violations.

abstract click to expand

Tricationic protactinium monofluoride ($^{229}$PaF$^{3+}$) has been proposed as a candidate for probing physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Since studies with $^{229}$PaF$^{3+}$ require significant experimental advances, we exploit the stable, valence-isoelectronic dicationic cerium monofluoride (CeF$^{2+}$) as a surrogate. Gas-phase fluorinated-cerium molecular ions are formed and identified using the Off-Line Ion Source and TITAN mass measurement facilities at TRIUMF. Quantum chemical calculations are performed on the electronic structure of CeF$^{2+}$, revealing a parallel to that of $^{229}$PaF$^{3+}$. Moreover, these calculations provide estimates on the sensitivity of CeF$^{2+}$ itself to various $\mathcal{P,T}$-odd properties. A brief discourse on the specifics of the quantum control of CeF$^{2+}$ is presented which anticipates future searches for symmetry violations.

0

physics.atom-ph 2026-04-29

Light grating diffracts electrons into tunable vortex beams

Ultrafast electron vortex produced by a grating made of light

All-optical method transfers orbital angular momentum via stimulated Compton scattering without material nanofabrication.

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The generation of vortex matter waves carrying quantized orbital angular momentum is challenging and relies heavily on the material nanofabrication methods due to their extremely small de-Broglie wavelengths. Here, we introduce an all-optical method for generating an electron vortex by diffraction through a grating made of light. We realize the orbital angular momentum transfer between free electrons and photons by stimulated Compton scattering. The transferred angular momentum quantum number can be freely tuned. The method can be generalized to a broad range of charged particles, neutral atoms, and molecules of diverse masses. Our results open up novel opportunities for applications in free electron lasers and ultrafast electron microscopy by utilizing the orbital angular momentum degree of freedom of free electrons.

0

physics.atom-ph 2026-04-29

Negative-energy states reach 30% of g-factor correction at Z=20

The critical role of negative-energy states in the Land\'{e} g-factor of lithium-like ions

The correction varies by state and nuclear charge and must be included to reach 0.1 percent agreement with benchmark calculations.

abstract click to expand

We report relativistic many-body calculations of the interelectronic-interaction correction to the Land\'{e} $g$-factor of the $2s_{1/2}$, $2p_{1/2}$, $2p_{3/2}$, and $3s_{1/2}$ states in lithium-like ions with nuclear charge $Z = 4-20$. Starting from the Dirac-Coulomb-Breit Hamiltonian, we treat positive-energy contributions using the coupled-cluster method with single and double excitations and include negative-energy contributions through third-order perturbation theory. We observe that negative-energy states give a state-dependent correction whose magnitude and sign vary with both Z and the state; for $2p_{1/2}$, the correction from the negative-energy states reaches 30\% of the total interelectronic-interaction contribution at $Z = 20$. Agreement with previous high-precision calculations is better than $0.1\%$, confirming the reliability of the present approach. This work may serve as a valuable reference for future precise calculations of $g$-factors for many-electron atomic systems.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-28

Thermal atoms show collective strong coupling on a chip

Collective Strong Coupling of Thermal Atoms to Integrated Microring Resonators

Mode splitting of 1 GHz with cooperativity near 2 observed in heated rubidium near microring resonators.

abstract click to expand

Strong coupling between atomic ensembles and high-quality optical cavities enables collective and nonlinear phenomena that are central to cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED). Although many experiments have been performed on this topic, most of them have focused on cold atoms. Here, we experimentally demonstrate collective strong coupling between thermal rubidium (Rb) vapor and high-quality silicon nitride microring resonators (MRRs) on an integrated photonic chip. We observe cavity mode splitting, with a measured collective coupling strength of $g_N/2\pi \approx 1\,\mathrm{GHz}$ and a collective cooperativity of $C_N\approx2$ at $110\,^\circ\mathrm{C}$, indicating coherent energy exchange between the atomic ensemble and the cavity mode despite rapid decoherence in the thermal vapor system. We infer an average of $20$ atoms participating in the collective interaction, yielding a single-atom cooperativity of $C_0=0.1$ and approaching the single-atom strong-coupling regime. Our results establish the integrated thermal vapor MRR platform as a robust, compact, and scalable system for studying collective and nonlinear phenomena in cQED.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-27

Gaussian bases compute Wichmann-Kroll corrections in lithium-like ions

Wichmann-Kroll vacuum polarization correction to lithium-like systems in a Gaussian basis set

Self-consistent Hartree-Fock potentials let the method work for multi-electron atoms where analytic Green's functions are unavailable, and a

abstract click to expand

Recent developments have seen the application of finite Gaussian basis sets to the $\alpha(Z\alpha)^{n\geq3}$ vacuum polarization. The energy shift for $s$ and $p$ electron states have been tabulated and their convergence investigated. In this work, we extend this problem to the multi-electron case. Hartee-Fock potentials obtained self-consistently are used to treat the vacuum polarization for lithium-like systems and are found to be in good agreement with comparable results in the literature. The results presented in this work demonstrate the use of Gaussian basis sets for atomic potentials whose Green's functions expressions cannot be simply obtained via analytic or numerical methods.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-27

NIR field couples to CO2 cation and adds third pathway to attosecond sidebands

Disentangling the Effect of Ionic Coupling and Multiple Interfering Terms in Attosecond Molecular Interferometry

Angle-resolved measurements show reduced interference amplitude; theory isolates the ionic contribution from ordinary photoelectron terms.

abstract click to expand

Attosecond interferometry in a two-color field is central to attosecond metrology and spectroscopy. In this technique, a photoelectron wave packet is released when a single photon from an extreme ultraviolet comb is absorbed. The wave packet then either emits or absorbs one or more near-infrared photons, leading to the formation of sidebands of the main photoelectron peaks. This picture applies well to atoms and assumes that the near-infrared laser pulse only acts on the photoelectron leaving the parent ion. The effect of the near-infrared pulse on the electronic structure of the cation is not considered, since the field usually cannot induce transitions between its electronic levels. Here, we demonstrate how dynamics induced by the near-infrared field in the cation can significantly impact the amplitude and phases of the sideband signal of the photoelectrons associated with specific dissociative channels of CO$_2$ molecules. This coupling of the near-infrared field with the molecular cation opens a third quantum pathway contributing to the signal measured in attosecond interferometry. Through angle- and energy-resolved characterization of the sideband oscillations, we observe reduction of interference amplitude over specific energy range upon angle integration. By comparison with theoretical predictions, we can isolate the contributions of specific interfering pathways to the two-color multi-pathway photoionization process. The scheme investigated in our work is general, and our observations highlight the importance of the additional pathway for accurately interpreting attosecond interferometry experiments involving molecules and more complex quantum systems.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-27

Mass-interpolation formulas give energies of diatomic one-electron ions

On bound state spectra of the one-electron diatomic ions

High-accuracy computations for many A+ B+ e- ions produce formulas valid for both equal and unequal nuclear masses.

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The total energies of a large number of diatomic (or two-center) one-electron $A^{+} B^{+} e^{-}$ ions with unit electrical charges are determined numerically to high accuracy. Based on these results we derive some accurate mass-interpolation formulas for the total energies of such three-body systems (ions). These formulas can be applied to the both symmetric $A^{+} A^{+} e^{-}$ and non-symmetric $A^{+} B^{+} e^{-}$ diatomic ions. Based on the results obtained in this study we also consider a few actual and currently unsolved problems, which are known for the two-center (or diatomic) one-electron ions.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-27

Multi-frequency light doubles atoms captured in rubidium MOT

Enhanced Atom Capture via Multi-Frequency Magneto-Optical Trapping

Closely spaced frequencies in the cooling beam raise atom number by 2x and loading rate by 4x from thermal vapor, with no extra slowing.

abstract click to expand

Magneto-optical traps are central to atomic and molecular quantum technologies and precision tests of fundamental physics, where both sensitivity and bandwidth scale strongly with atom number and loading rate. We demonstrate that employing multiple, closely spaced optical frequency components in the cooling light of a $^{87}$Rb magneto-optical trap -- without utilizing any additional slowing techniques -- can double the steady state atom number and increase the loading rate by up to a factor of 4, compared to a conventional single-frequency implementation. Subsequently, we capture up to $1.0(1)\times10^{10}$ atoms with a loading rate of up to $1.3(2)\times 10^{11}\,\mathrm{atoms\,s^{-1}}$ from a thermal background. Numerical simulations reproduce the observed trends and predict substantially larger gains for increased trap sizes beyond our experimental bounds. By re-examining earlier studies of multi-frequency atom capture in the context of modern experimental hardware and emerging applications, we show that previously identified limitations can be avoided and establish multi-frequency cooling as a practical and scalable route to high-flux cold-atom sources. These results have immediate applications in portable atom-based quantum sensing, where higher bandwidth and precision can be achieved without forgoing compactness, and in atom-interferometric tests of fundamental physics, which benefit from access to larger-mass quantum systems.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-27

Repulsive barriers raise tweezer loading to 94 percent

Near-deterministic loading of optical tweezer arrays via repulsive barricade potentials

Protecting trapped atoms and molecules during repeated cycles reduces empty sites in quantum arrays.

abstract click to expand

Optical tweezers are a powerful tool for creating defect-free arrays of atoms and molecules, enabling advances in quantum simulation, computation, and precision metrology. However, the achievable array size is limited by the initial loading fraction, typically $50\,\%$ for atoms and $35\,\%$ for molecules. Here, we propose a general scheme for enabling multiple loading cycles by protecting trapped particles using a repulsive barrier. We show that collision-limited lifetimes of particles in protected tweezers can reach hundreds of milliseconds, allowing loading probabilities of $82\,\%$ for molecules and $94\,\%$ for atoms after four loading cycles. Combined with existing rearrangement techniques, this approach enables efficient unity filling of tweezer arrays and provides a scalable pathway towards larger quantum technology platforms.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-24

Extended theory matches Pr3+ absorption data in YAG better

Revisiting the luminescence properties of Pr3+: YAG within the framework of an extended approach of Judd-Ofelt theory

Relaxing selection rules and adding 4f5d mixing improves intensity predictions and supports laser action at five wavelengths.

abstract click to expand

We show in this article the improvements which can be obtained in the description of the luminescence properties of Pr3+ doped materials by using an extension of the Judd-Ofelt theory in order to relax some strong selection rules and approximations of the standard formalism and to better account for the influence of the 4f5d excited electronic configuration. The demonstration is made by re-examining the case of Pr3+:YAG, a well known luminescent and laser crystal with a very low energy 4f5d absorption band. Our extension thus provides a better agreement between calculated and measured absorption intensities, especially for the hypersensitive 3 H4 $\rightarrow$ 3 P2 transition. A comparison is made with the results obtained in the case of Pr3+:ZBLAN, a laser fluoride glass with much higher 4f5d absorption levels. Our investigation also gives the opportunity, in the case of Pr3+:YAG, to provide more complete and more reliable absorption and emission data than reported in the past literature and to exploit these data to better address the question of laser operation at various emission wavelengths. It is thus demonstrated that laser operation should be possible with improved laser performance at 488 nm, 616 nm and 744 nm, as it was already achieved in the past, but also at 566 nm and 931 nm by using appropriate laser cavities and laser mirrors.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-22

HHG spectrum below threshold varies with analysis choices

High-order harmonic generation in argon driven by short laser pulses: effects of post-pulse propagation and windowing

Argon RMT calculations show that residual dipole oscillations make low-energy features depend on post-pulse time and windowing.

abstract click to expand

We present ab initio calculations using the $R$-matrix with time dependence (RMT) method for high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in argon in a short, intense pulse regime. The calculations employ a $6$-cycle $\sin^2$ pulse at $850$ nm with peak intensity $2.3\times 10^{14}$ W/cm$^2$ and, for comparison with the experiment by Guo et al. [J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 51, 034006 (2018)], a Gaussian pulse with the same frequency and peak intensity. Both pulse shapes yield the expected harmonic structure in the region above the ionization threshold (approximately $15.82$ eV in $LS$-coupling). The spectra exhibit strong carrier-envelope-phase (CEP) sensitivity. The energy region leading up to the ionization threshold contains spectral features arising from residual coherent dipole oscillations (free-induction decay) that strongly depend on spectral windowing and the post-pulse propagation time. We show that the HHG spectrum, particularly below the ionization threshold, is a defined quantity that depends on analysis choices rather than being a uniquely determined observable. Comparison between theoretical predictions and experimental observations in this energy regime, therefore, requires explicit specification of these parameters.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-22

Geometric pulses achieve 30-fold precision in nuclear spin transitions

Error-correcting transition pulses for co-located spin ensembles without frequency selectivity

New sequences transfer co-located ensembles without frequency selectivity, with milliradian accuracy over hours and robustness at half the量子

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We present a new class of control pulses designed to transfer co-located ensembles without relying on frequency selectivity, thereby allowing much faster state-transitions. A geometric approach allows us to construct sequences which are robust to changes in the background magnetic field along multiple axes, and errors in the pulse area. \red{These pulses are extremely fast, with robustness to pulse area shown at half the quantum speed limit.} We demonstrate these sequences on nuclear-dipole states, showing milliradian precision over several hours, 30-fold beyond the previous state of the art. This provides a path for extending the coherent integration time of ultra-long-lived nuclear-spin states to the fundamental limit set by their $>$10000 second lifetimes, as the limiting self-interactions of the nuclei are suppressed in the symmetric superposition. The state-preparation quality demonstrated here directly opens up 30-fold improvements in next generation tests of the standard model, especially tests of the symmetries of QCD and searches for dark matter; it is also crucial for the development of nuclear-spin based quantum memories and may be useful in other scenarios demanding extremely fast but robust transitions.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-22

Kaonic fluorine confirms QED above Schwinger limit

Bound-state QED test above the Schwinger limit with kaonic fluorine

Transition energies match Dirac-Fock predictions with 9 sigma sensitivity, validating the theory where Coulomb fields exceed the critical 4.

abstract click to expand

Kaonic atoms, formed when a negatively charged kaon replaces an electron in an atomic orbit, provide access to bound-state quantum electrodynamics (BSQED) in electromagnetic fields far stronger than in ordinary atoms. Here, we report an experimental test of BSQED in a regime where the mean Coulomb field exceeds the Schwinger limit. Using high-precision x-ray spectroscopy of kaonic fluorine with the SIDDHARTA-2 experiment at DA$\Phi$NE, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 22.4 pb$^{-1}$, we observe transitions involving the 4f and 3d levels, probing field-to-Schwinger-limit ratios of 1.11 and 3.70, respectively. The measured transition energies agree with state-of-the-art Dirac-Fock calculations. In particular, the 5g-4f transition showing a residual of 5.8 $\pm$ 4.7 (stat.) $\pm$ 5.5 (syst.) eV and a $\sim$ 9$\sigma$ sensitivity to QED contributions. These results provide a direct test of BSQED in the strong-field regime of QED above the Schwinger limit, opening a new avenue for precision studies in extreme electromagnetic fields.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-22

Rydberg vapor fluorescence turns on only where mm-wave fields are present

Calibrated electric-field imaging with Rydberg-state fluorescence and Autler-Townes splitting

High-contrast images of standing waves are obtained with absolute calibration from Autler-Townes splitting and a dark decay channel.

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We demonstrate a spatially resolved method for imaging millimeter-wave (mmWave) electric fields using Rydberg-state fluorescence in a warm atomic vapor. By utilizing a multi-photon ladder excitation scheme, we leverage a specific decay channel that remains dark in the absence of the mmWave field, resulting in high-contrast imaging with effectively zero background. Absolute calibration of the local electric field is achieved by reconstructing the Autler-Townes splitting of the Rydberg resonance across the imaging volume. To ensure robust field extraction across a wide dynamic range--including regimes where spectral features are not fully resolved--we employ a steady-state analysis based on the Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) master equation. We apply this technique to visualize standing-wave interference patterns within a vapor cell and demonstrate the ability to engineer local field distributions using structured dielectric reflectors. This approach provides a versatile and self-calibrating platform for the diagnostic imaging of high-frequency electromagnetic fields and the characterization of mmWave-optical interfaces.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-21

Bessel function renormalizes spin interactions in comagnetometer

Floquet engineering of spin-spin interactions in a hybrid atomic system

Periodic modulation of electron spin direction enables tuning and suppression of effective coupling strength.

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We demonstrate dynamical control of the effective spin-spin interaction, dominated by Fermi-contact interaction, in a hybrid spin system via parametric modulation. We show that, in an alkali-noble-gas comagnetometer, periodic modulation of the direction of the electron spin polarization with respect to the nuclear polarization leads to a Floquet-induced renormalization of the spin-exchange coupling, governed by a zeroth-order Bessel function. This effect enables continuous tuning and suppression of the effective interaction strength without altering the intrinsic properties of the system. We develop a theoretical model that supports the experimental measurements. The results establish a general mechanism for controlling interaction strengths in hybrid atomic systems and provide new opportunities for precision measurements and quantum memories.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-21

Probe interference enables THz tomography in warm vapor

Coherent terahertz field tomographic imaging in warm Rydberg vapors

Adjustable optical patterns in rubidium vapor allow room-temperature reconstruction of terahertz fields including their phase at sub-centim

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Rydberg atom-based sensors have emerged as highly sensitive tools for terahertz (THz) metrology, yet most current imaging techniques discard crucial phase information. In this Letter, we present a coherent THz-to-optical conversion scheme in warm Rb vapor that enables complex-amplitude field imaging. By manipulating the phase-matching conditions via an adjustable interference pattern of optical probe beams, we demonstrate the ability to perform tomographic reconstruction of the THz field distribution. We experimentally validate the spatial resolution and phase-sensitivity of the system by resolving sub-centimeter features and identifying incident angles of arrival. Our results establish a robust framework for phase-resolved THz imaging and holography using atomic vapors at room temperature.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-20

Rydberg facilitation observed in rubidium S

Observation of intrastate and interstate facilitation between Rydberg S, P and D levels

Off-resonant excitations increase atom counts and show correlations matching calculated interaction potentials, including between different

abstract click to expand

We report experimental results on Rydberg facilitation, whereby Rydberg levels can be excited off-resonantly in the presence of a nearby Rydberg atom because of Rydberg-Rydberg interactions, for high-lying $S$, $P$ and $D$ levels in rubidium. Facilitation is detected both through an enhancement of the number of excited atoms for off-resonant excitation (either blue or red detuning) and a positive Mandel $Q$ parameter indicating correlated excitation events (super-Poissonian counting statistics). We also calculate the pair-state potentials for the Rydberg states involved and find that our experimental results agree with the expected facilitation conditions for repulsive potentials (blue detuning) and attractive potentials (red detuning), with $P$ and $D$ states exhibiting facilitation on both sides of the resonance. Finally, we investigate inter-state facilitation between two different Rydberg levels (70 $S$ and 70 $P$).

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-20

Sub-nW CW laser excites thorium-229 nuclear resonance

Continuous-wave nuclear laser absorption spectroscopy of Thorium-229

Absorption detection enables fast signal readout for solid-state nuclear optical clocks, bypassing slow fluorescence.

abstract click to expand

A low-energy nuclear transition in the isotope thorium-229 has been excited in thorium-doped crystals with laser light. This opens the perspective towards a highly stable and robust solid-state optical nuclear clock. The required laser radiation at 148 nm wavelength has so far been produced using pulsed laser systems where only a small fraction of the incident photons has been resonant with the narrow nuclear transition. Here we show that the nuclear resonance can be excited with a continuous-wave laser source with a power of less than 1 nW, and that the resonance signal can be detected in absorption rather than in fluorescence. This eliminates the slow nuclear fluorescence decay from the detection process and offers a considerable advantage for clock operation through fast signal acquisition. The laser is based on three sequential frequency doublings, starting from a diode laser at 1187 nm that is well suited for linewidth narrowing and for frequency comparisons with optical atomic clocks. We use absorption spectroscopy for the quantitative characterization of two different Th-centers in calcium fluoride and measure the isomeric shift between them. One of the centers shows a very small static electric crystal field gradient < 0.1V/$\r{A}^2$, to be compared to gradients in the range of 100 V/$\r{A}^2$ observed earlier. This indicates a center with high symmetry of the ions surrounding the Th nucleus, promising nuclear resonance lines that are less sensitive to the lattice spacing.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-17

The paper computes the double-differential cross section and polarization of scattered X-…

Bound-state Compton scattering of linearly polarized photons

S-matrix calculations for bound-state Compton scattering of linearly polarized photons reveal kinematic regimes where the impulse…

abstract click to expand

We present a theoretical study of Compton scattering of X- and $\gamma$-rays by a $K$-shell electron. Special attention is paid to the double-differential cross section and polarization of the scattered photons for linearly polarized incident photons. To investigate these observables, we employ the scattering matrix (S-matrix) approach based on relativistic Green's functions. The S-matrix results are moreover compared with predictions of the free-electron and impulse approximations, allowing us to assess the role of electron binding effects. Detailed calculations are carried out for hydrogen-like Ne$^{9+}$ and Pb$^{81+}$ targets over a wide range of incident photon energies and scattering angles. The calculations reveal kinematic regimes in which the impulse approximation agrees reasonably well with the S-matrix results. We also explore the polarization of scattered photons for slightly depolarized incident radiation, including the highly sensitive case of scattering at $90^\circ$.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-16

Four pathways let parity mix in helium photoionization

Parity-mixing interference in laser-assisted photoionization

One- and two-photon transitions interfere without conserving parity when high-order harmonics and a probe laser act together on helium atoms

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Photoionization of atoms by high-order harmonics in the presence of a laser may lead to quantum interference from which information about the photoionization dynamics or the light fields can be extracted. Traditionally, this interference arises from two-photon transitions involving the absorption of consecutive harmonics combined with the absorption and stimulated emission of a laser photon. In this process, parity is conserved. Here, we investigate interference between one- and two-photon transitions in helium using high-order harmonics generated by a few-cycle laser and three-dimensional electron detection. In this case, parity is not conserved. We identify four parity-mixing interference pathways, involving two different harmonic fields or a single harmonic, together with absorption or emission of a probe photon.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-15

First data on francium 9p and 10p states test heavy-atom theory

Energies and lifetimes of the 9p and 10p excited states in atomic francium

Lifetimes and relative energies match relativistic calculations, yet absolute energies show a consistent offset.

abstract click to expand

We present the first measurement of 9p 2P1/2,3/2 and 10p 2P1/2,3/2 excited levels absolute wavenumbers and radiative lifetime in francium. We used the Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (CRIS) technique, applied on a beam of 221Fr atoms. Prior to this work, no experimental data existed for francium p-states with n > 8. The results provide a precision experimental test of relativistic coupled-cluster theory for the heaviest alkali, showing good agreement for lifetimes and relative excitation energies, despite a residual global offset in absolute energies.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-15 1 theorem

First energies and lifetimes measured for francium 9p and 10p states

Energies and lifetimes of the 9p and 10p excited states in atomic francium

CRIS data on 221Fr confirm relativistic theory for lifetimes and relative spacings but show a global offset in absolute energies

abstract click to expand

We present the first measurement of 9p 2P1/2,3/2 and 10p 2P1/2,3/2 excited levels absolute wavenumbers and radiative lifetime in francium. We used the Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (CRIS) technique, applied on a beam of 221Fr atoms. Prior to this work, no experimental data existed for francium p-states with n > 8. The results provide a precision experimental test of relativistic coupled-cluster theory for the heaviest alkali, showing good agreement for lifetimes and relative excitation energies, despite a residual global offset in absolute energies.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-15

Magic wavelength for 40K D1 line measured at 1227.54 nm

Experimental Determination of the D1 Magic Wavelength for ⁴⁰K

State-dependent light shifts cancel at this point, enabling cleaner cooling and imaging in fermionic neutral-atom arrays.

abstract click to expand

Neutral-atom arrays offer a promising path for quantum simulation, yet the potential of fermionic $^{40}$K remains largely constrained by state-dependent light shifts that degrade cooling and detection fidelities. This problem can be resolved by working at a magic wavelength, where the differential light shift vanishes. We report the first experimental determination of the magic wavelength for the D1 transition in fermionic $^{40}$K at 1227.54(3) nm. Using in-trap loss spectroscopy in a wavelength-tunable optical tweezer, we map the differential AC Stark shift across a range of trapping powers and wavelengths. By converting these shifts to differential scalar polarizabilities, we find excellent agreement with relativistic all-order calculations. Benchmark measurements at 1064.49 nm further reveal the significant intensity-sampling systematics that plague standard trapping wavelengths, contrasting with the "mechanically clean" environment provided by the magic condition. Our results provide an important step toward high-fidelity in-trap D1 cooling, fluorescence imaging, and light-assisted loading, establishing a robust path toward scaling fermionic neutral-atom arrays for quantum information science.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-14

Statistical models limit close-coupling for sticky ultracold collisions

Limits of Statistical Models of Ultracold Complex Lifetimes

Approximating full calculations with random matrix theory shows threshold behavior dominates in sparse regimes and suggests standard methods

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The puzzle of "sticky collisions," in which molecular collision complexes exhibit unexpectedly long lifetimes, remains an unresolved mystery. A central challenge to solving this mystery is that traditional close-coupling calculations remain limited by the vast computational cost needed to take into account all the degrees of freedom involved in the collision. In this work, we propose a statistical model designed to simulate the result of full close-coupling calculations, with the goal of collecting statistics about reasonable lifetimes of collision complexes. To do so, we numerically sample resonances using random matrix theory and utilize results from quantum defect theory to calculate scattering properties and lifetimes. We find that in the limit of dense resonances, our theory agrees well with the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Markus (RRKM) prediction, whereas in the limit of sparse resonances, the physics is governed by threshold behavior rather than resonant effects. By comparing these predictions to experimental results in two limits, we argue that close-coupling calculations alone may be insufficient to resolve the issue of long lifetimes.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-14 Recognition

Stripline extracts dielectric properties of Rydberg cells

Extraction of Effective Electromagnetic Material Properties for Rydberg Electrometer Vapor Cells from 10-300 MHz

Extracted parameters quantify how packaging reduces internal electric fields from 10-300 MHz and are validated by atomic data.

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Quantum sensors often consist of packaging, such as dielectric-based vapor cells and metallic electrodes, that reduces and spatially alters the locally observed electromagnetic fields. These effects have been well studied in the optical regime, and even in the RF regime over a few GHz. However, there have been few studies in the electrically small regime below 1 GHz. In order to account for or remove the effects of the packaging, more studies are needed across a broad range of frequencies. This paper reports on the complex permittivity and conductivity of several commercially available vapor cells used for Rydberg electric field sensing from 10-300 MHz. A new method using a stripline transmission measurement was performed and full wave electromagnetics modeling was used to extract the effective dielectric constitutive parameters from the vapor cells. Additionally, the field reduction inside the vapor cell is reported, and published atomic measurements of the electric field are used to further validate the results presented here. Several observations were made from the measurements, such as the frequency dependencies of the RF dispersion and absorption. Applications of this technique include making precise numerical field corrections or physically designing a more optimal vapor cell via coatings, material changes, or geometric changes to improve field strength and uniformity.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-13

Electric field tunes g-factors of RaOCH3 K-doublets

Electric field dependent g factors of RaOCH₃ molecule

Calculations for the first excited rotational level find states whose g-factors differ by only small amounts.

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The sensitivity of experiments searching for the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) using the symmetric top molecules can be greatly enhanced by laser cooling. A detailed understanding of the Zeeman structure of the eEDM-sensitive levels is crucial for controlling systematic effects. We have developed a method for calculating the $g$-factors of $K$-doublet levels in symmetric top molecules and applied it to RaOCH$_3$. The electric-field-dependent $g$-factors of the first excited rotational level of RaOCH$_3$ are calculated. $K$-doublet levels with a small difference in $g$-factors are identified, and the main contributions to this difference are determined.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-13 2 theorems

RF trap fields cause small Zeeman shifts in ion clocks

Characterization of rf field-induced a.c. Zeeman shift in multi-level highly charged ions

Experiments with calcium-14+ confirm the a.c. Zeeman effect remains minor, supporting precise optical frequency standards.

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Characterization of the trap rf induced a.c. Zeeman shift is essential for achieving high accuracy in optical ion clocks. In this work, we demonstrate the experimental characterization of this shift using highly charged $\mathrm{Ca}^{14+}$. The transverse component of the a.c. magnetic field is measured using the Autler-Townes splitting of the equally-spaced Zeeman components of the $^{3}\mathrm{P}_1$ when the Zeeman splitting is close to resonance with the trap rf drive frequency. We observe the resulting modulation by performing quantum logic spectroscopy using the co-trapped $\mathrm{Be}^{+}$. The longitudinal component is measured from probing the $\mathrm{Be}^{+}$ magnetic field-insensitive hyperfine transition $|F=2,m_F=0 \rangle \rightarrow | F=1,m_F=0 \rangle$. We confirm the small influence of the a.c. Zeeman shift in highly charged ions. The employed techniques can easily be transferred to other multi-level atomic systems.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-13

Projectile charge change alters CO2 fragment kinetic energies

Association between projectile and target excitation in slow Ar^{q+}-CO₂ collisions

Wider high-energy distributions for double charge loss indicate linked excitations in slow Ar-CO2 collisions

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We investigate ionic fragmentation of CO$_2^{n+}$~\mbox{($2\le n\le 4$)} produced in collisions with Ar$^{q+}$~\mbox{($4\le q\le 16$)} projectiles at a collision velocity of $\approx$~0.3~a.u. For most projectile and fragmentation channel combinations, the shape of the kinetic energy release distribution (KERD) differs with the electron capture mediated charge change (\mbox{$\Delta q$}) in the scattered projectile: KERD for \mbox{$\Delta q = 2$} is broader at high KER than for \mbox{$\Delta q =1$}. The difference generally diminishes with increasing projectile charge. Two deviations in this general trend are seen in the fragmentation of CO$_2^{3+}$, one for Ar$^{4+}$ impact in the high KER region and the other for Ar$^{6+}$ impact in the low KER region. The calculated reaction windows for multielectron capture within the framework of the extended classical over-the-barrier model (ECOBM) indicate that while ionization of the target occurs via multielectron capture, the scattered projectile may subsequently undergo multi-fold autoionization. Interpreting projectile autoionization to be a consequence of capture into highly excited states and high fragment KER to be a consequence of excitation of the ionized target to high-lying states, we find a strong dependence between the target and scattered projectile excitations.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-13

Static fields cool cesium to 17 μK without switching

Sub-Doppler laser cooling and optical transport of cesium with static magnetic fields

Blue-detuned Type-II MOT on closed transition allows direct lattice loading and 17 cm transport in unchanging magnetic fields.

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Laser cooling of alkali atoms typically requires time-varying magnetic fields, introducing unwanted coupling between atom preparation and coherent operations. Here we demonstrate sub-Doppler laser cooling and optical transport of alkali atoms in a fully static magnetic-field configuration. Using a blue-detuned Type-II magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the closed $F=3 \rightarrow F'=2$ transition of the D2 line in cesium, we achieve temperatures of 17(1) $\mu$K without changing the magnetic-field gradient between cooling stages. This enables direct loading into a shallow optical lattice and transport over 17 cm within the same static-field environment. In contrast to conventional alkali cooling schemes with dynamic fields, our approach establishes a continuous cooling and transport protocol compatible with static-field platforms. These results validate Type-II cooling as a practical technique for alkali atoms and provide a new route toward continuous-operation architectures in sensing and quantum computing.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-10

Relativistic calculations give symmetry-violating constants for YbCu

Relativistic KRCI calculations of symmetry violating interaction constants for YbX (X: Cu, Ag and Au) molecules

KRCI-SD results in a four-component framework supply the first hyperfine constants and updated P- and T-odd values for the ground states of

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The present work reports the parity ($\mathcal{P}$)-odd and time-reversal ($\mathcal{T}$)-odd interaction constants for the ground electronic state, X$^2\Sigma^{+}_{1/2}$, of YbX, X: Cu, Ag and Au molecules. The reported results have been calculated using the Kramers-restricted configuration interaction method limited to single and double excitations, in conjunction with relativistic core-valence double-, triple-, and quadruple-zeta quality basis sets, within a four-component relativistic framework. The computed results for the symmetry violating properties have been compared with the available results in the literature. Further, the parallel and perpendicular components of the hyperfine structure constants for the constituent atoms in YbX molecules are reported here for the first time.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-10

Bessel beams reveal quantization axis distributions in thorium crystals

Nuclear forward scattering of Bessel beams in ²²⁹Th:CaF₂

Non-uniform beam profiles produce unique scattering patterns that encode the spread of quantization axis orientations inside the crystal.

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The coherent pulse propagation of a Bessel beam resonant to the 8.4 eV nuclear clock transition in $^{229}$Th-doped crystals is investigated theoretically. Due to the magnetic dipole character of the clock transition, Bessel beams which present non-uniform transverse profiles and carry orbital angular momentum might enhance excitation channels or offer new control degrees of freedom compared to standard plane waves. We model the nuclear forward scattering of a resonant Bessel beam pulse propagating through the crystal, extending an formalism based on the iterative wave equation for plane waves. Thereby we take into account the nuclear quadrupole splitting in the crystal, considering the possibility of multiple quantization axes and present results for scenarios involving a single nuclear transition and multiple simultaneously driven transitions, analyzing temporal and spatial intensity patterns. Our findings show that the propagation of Bessel beams can be used to determine the relative distribution of different directions of quantization axes inside the crystal.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-10

VUV spectropolarimeter reaches 0.01 polarization accuracy

A spectropolarimeter for vacuum-ultraviolet emission lines

Clear modulation on a 124 nm nitrogen line confirms the device can extract linear polarization degree for laboratory plasma studies.

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We have developed a vacuum-ultraviolet spectropolarimeter to measure the linear polarization of spectral lines around the Lyman-$\alpha$ wavelength. The main components for polarimetry are a rotatable MgF$_2$ waveplate and a SiO$_2$/MgF$_2$ multilayer-coated fused silica plate that functions as a reflective polarizer. A grazing-incidence grating is mounted between them to provide wavelength dispersion. The polarization is determined from the intensity modulation of the spectral line as the waveplate is rotated. The performance of the spectropolarimeter was demonstrated by measuring the polarization of the $2s$--$2p_{3/2}$ transition in Li-like N$^{4+}$ (124~nm) excited by a 1000~eV electron beam in an electron beam ion trap. Clear modulation of the line intensity was observed as a function of the waveplate rotation angle. From the measured modulation amplitude, the degree of linear polarization was determined to be $P=-(0.178^{+0.012}_{-0.005})$, with the negative sign indicating that the emission is polarized predominantly perpendicular to the electron beam. This result demonstrates the capability of the present spectropolarimeter to determine polarizations with an absolute uncertainty $\Delta P$ on the order of $0.01$. This instrument provides a useful tool for polarization diagnostics of vacuum-ultraviolet emission lines from laboratory plasmas.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-09 2 theorems

Dysprosium UV lines match strongest dipolar-atom transitions

Two-dimensional shelving spectroscopy of ultraviolet ground state transitions in dysprosium

Two-dimensional shelving spectroscopy extracts isotope shifts and hyperfine details to support optical population of the long-lived state.

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The open inner-shell electronic structure of lanthanides with large magnetic moments gives rise to a rich spectrum of transitions available for laser cooling, trapping, and coherent control. Despite this, the large number of ultraviolet (UV) transitions below 400nm have so far been rarely utilized in dipolar atom experiments. Here, we investigate multiple UV ground state transitions in dysprosium. Several of these UV excited states have the largest decay strengths to the ultralong-lived, low-lying first excited state which are comparable to the most commonly used strongest transitions found in dipolar atoms. Using two-dimensional shelving spectroscopy which improves detection sensitivity and provides a straightforward way to determine the hyperfine-isotope structure and excited state total angular momentum $J$, we measure isotope shifts, hyperfine coefficients, and create King plots to determine their electronic nature. Such knowledge of these UV transitions which analogously exist in other magnetic atoms is important for optically populating the first excited state and can be used towards creating an optical clock, high resolution imaging in quantum gas microscopy, and probing lanthanide nuclei with enhanced Schiff moments in search of physics beyond the standard model.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-09 1 theorem

Cryogenic tweezers reach defect-free 1024-atom arrays

Defect-free arrays at the thousand-atom scale in a 4-K cryogenic environment

Dual laser wavelengths and loss control at 4 K yield 5000-second lifetimes for large-scale quantum arrays.

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We report on a cryogenic platform at 4 K incorporating high numerical aperture optics for the generation of large-scale tweezers arrays, and compatible with Rydberg-state manipulation. We achieve trapping lifetimes of around 5000 s, significantly extending the available experimental time for the preparation of large-scale arrays. By combining two trapping lasers at different wavelengths and by minimizing other atom losses during the rearrangement and imaging processes, we demonstrate the preparation of defect-free arrays with up to 1024 atoms. Our cryogenic design opens exciting prospects for analog and digital quantum computing.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-09 2 theorems

Muonic hydrogen hyperfine splitting predicted at 182626(5) μeV

Recoil corrections to μH hyperfine splitting

Direct QED and recoil terms plus structure input from ordinary hydrogen give a complete prediction above 1 ppm.

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This work attempts to present a complete theory of the $\mu$H hyperfine splitting, including all contributions above 1 ppm. Quantum electrodynamic and recoil corrections are calculated directly, while the proton structure correction is obtained with the help of the H hyperfine splitting. The resulting theoretical prediction for the ground state of $\mu$H is $E_\mathrm{hfs} = 182\,626(5)$ $\mu$eV.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-09 2 theorems

Squeezed vacuum light boosts holographic patterns in atomic ionization

Strong-field ionization of atoms with bright squeezed vacuum light

Zero-mean-field light with strong fluctuations selectively enhances specific interference features through correlated electron paths.

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Strong-field ionization is the cornerstone of attosecond physics, which has been extensively studied under coherent-state driving. Recently, the interface between attosecond physics and quantum optics has emerged as a new frontier. Yet, owing to experimental limitations, the role of the quantum nature of light in atomic strong-field ionization has remained unexplored. Here, we demonstrate strong-field ionization of xenon atoms driven by bright squeezed vacuum (BSV) with average pulse energy up to 10 \textmu J. We show that, as a nonclassical state with zero mean field and strong intensity fluctuations, BSV selectively enhances the spider-like holographic structures in the photoelectron momentum distributions. Using a quantum-light-corrected quantum-trajectory Monte Carlo (q-QTMC) model, we attribute this effect to the intrinsic coherence of trajectory pairs emitted within the same subcycle field fluctuation. These dynamically correlated paths exhibit enhanced phase stability and remain robust against dephasing, whereas asynchronous paths are filtered out by field noise. Our results reveal a quantum-fluctuation-induced mechanism for coherence protection in strong-field processes, positioning BSV as an effective coherence filter and establishing a new regime of quantum-enabled noise-resilient ultrafast dynamics.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-07 Recognition

Compact oven delivers continuous AlF flux of 5×10^{15} molecules/sr/s

Continuous thermochemical sources of AlF molecules

The source reaches 30 K rotational temperature and 200 m/s velocity when cooled in a Ne buffer gas cell.

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The AlF molecule, currently subject to laser cooling and trapping efforts, has the advantage that it can be efficiently produced in a thermochemical reaction between sublimated aluminum trifluoride and aluminum metal. Here we present a series of experiments with continuous molecular beam sources of AlF, utilising this reaction. We demonstrate a compact AlF molecular beam oven whose total far-field brightness is $5\times 10^{15}$ molecules per steradian per second at 923~K, just below the melting temperature of aluminum metal. The continuous output from the oven begins to exceed the peak brightness of a jet-cooled, ablation-based supersonic AlF source for the $v=0$, $J=7$ level, and we obtain an excellent signal-to-noise ratio with the oven in pulsed laser ionisation spectroscopy experiments. By delivering flux from the oven into a cryogenic Ne buffer gas cell, we lower the rotational temperature of the beam to around 30~K and reduce its most probable forward velocity from 600~ms$^{-1}$ to 200~ms$^{-1}$. In addition, we demonstrate that AlF can be made in a simple dispenser package, and observe that molecules thermalise to the laboratory temperature after colliding with vacuum chamber walls of the experiment. The resulting transient AlF vapour may enable direct loading of a molecular magneto-optical trap.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-07 2 theorems

First optical spectrum of gold monocarbide recorded

Elucidating Au-C Bonding via Laser Spectroscopy of Gold Monocarbide

Laser measurements assign electronic states, vibrational levels, and the Au-C bond strength, supplying benchmarks for relativistic theory.

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Gold monocarbide (AuC) has been produced and characterized using laser spectroscopy, representing the first reported observation of AuC. We recorded the optical spectrum of gas-phase AuC between 400 nm and 700 nm, assigning excitations from the $\mathrm{X}\,^2\Pi_{1/2}( (2\sigma)^2 (2\pi)^1 )$ ground state to states arising from the $(2\sigma)^2 (3\sigma^\ast)^1 $ and $(2\sigma)^1 (2\pi)^2 $ configurations. Dispersed-fluorescence spectra are used to study the vibrational and spin-orbit structure of the ground state, branching ratios and radiative lifetimes of the excited states, and the Au--C bond dissociation energy. A molecular orbital diagram is used to rationalize the nature of AuC's low-lying electronic states. The data serve as valuable benchmarks of relativistic theory and are relevant to quantum science and precision measurements with cold molecules.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-06 Recognition

Three-body dynamics govern barrierless termolecular reactions

Direct three body dynamics govern ion atom recombination and barrierless termolecular reactions

Classical trajectories in hyperspherical coordinates match ion-atom recombination rates without intermediate complexes or steady-state steps

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For over a century, termolecular, or third order, chemical reactions have been explained by the Lindemann Hinshelwood mechanism, assuming sequential stabilization via bimolecular encounters. Here, we demonstrate that barrierless termolecular reactions are fundamentally governed by direct three body dynamics. Using classical trajectory calculations in hyperspherical coordinates, we quantitatively reproduce ion atom recombination kinetics across a wide temperature range without invoking intermediate complexes or steady state assumptions. Our results not only resolve longstanding discrepancies between theory and experiment, but also establish a general mechanistic framework for barrierless termolecular reactions, with implications spanning atmospheric chemistry, plasma physics, and ultracold chemistry.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-06 2 theorems

Tri-axial modulation converts Mz Rb magnetometer to vector sensor

Optimization and vectorization of a Mz-type optically-pumped Rubidium magnetometer

Closed-loop sensitivity of 22.9 pT/Hz^{1/2} with 123 Hz bandwidth supports vector detection

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Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have demonstrated significant potential in weak magnetic field detection due to their high sensitivity. In this study, we developed an Mz-type optically pumped rubidium magnetometer using a paraffin-coated anti-relaxation vapor cell. The system optimization and performance characterization were conducted inside a magnetic shield. Specifically, the pump light intensity and radio-frequency (RF) magnetic field were jointly optimized by using the linewidth-amplitude ratio as the core metric. Based on the frequency-domain noise spectrum, the sensitivity in open-loop mode was measured to be approximately 30.8 pT/Hz^{1/2}. Furthermore, a closed-loop feedback locking technique was applied, reducing the measured noise floor under the tested conditions and improving the sensitivity to 22.9 pT/Hz^{1/2}, with a measured -3 dB bandwidth of 123 Hz. The dynamic characteristics were evaluated via magnetic-field step response, showing that the system could track magnetic-field changes stably under closed-loop operation. Finally, by using tri-axial modulation and frequency-domain demodulation, we overcame the scalar measurement limitation of traditional Mz magnetometers. This work realizes vector magnetic field detection and provides a technical basis for applications such as geomagnetic navigation and magnetic anomaly detection.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-06 2 theorems

Dual counter-pumps and five-pass probe raise rubidium magnetometer sensitivity sixfold

The Bell-Bloom-type optically-pumped FID Rubidium atomic magnetometer with a multi-passing probe beam and two counter-propagating pump beams

Orthogonal polarization and multi-pass detection homogenize spin polarization, cutting noise floor from 18.9 to 3.1 pT/√Hz.

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The Bell-Bloom-type optically pumped atomic magnetometers are well suited for weak geomagnetic field detection. However, conventional single-beam pumping introduces an atomic spin polarization gradient, which limits the measurement accuracy and sensitivity. To address this issue, this paper proposes and experimentally demonstrates a Bell-Bloom-type rubidium FID magnetometer scheme integrating orthogonally polarized counter-propagating pumping and multi-pass probe detection. This design homogenizes the atomic spin polarization distribution and suppresses light shifts and power broadening effects induced by the pump beam. Meanwhile, the five-pass probe configuration significantly enhances the signal amplitude. Experimental results reveal that, compared with the traditional single-beam pumping and single-pass detection scheme, the proposed magnetometer achieves a remarkable improvement in magnetic field measurement accuracy, and the magnetic field sensitivity is improved from 18.9 pT/\sqrt{Hz} to 3.1 pT/\sqrt{Hz}. This work provides an effective technical approach and reference for optimizing the performance of atomic magnetometers and extending their applications in integrated arrays.

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physics.atom-ph 2026-04-03 2 theorems

Vibrational excitation shifts photoelectron anisotropy in DABCO

Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of the DABCO molecule probed with VUV radiation

The beta parameter varies because the outgoing electron wave scatters off high-lying Rydberg states near the ionization threshold.

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We report a study of the diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) molecule photoionized using VUV synchrotron radiation in combination with an ion--electron coincidence spectrometer. We determine accurately the adiabatic ionization energy to $7.199\pm0.006$~eV. Two vibrational progressions of DABCO cation ground state are resolved at $847~\text{cm}^{-1}\pm27~\text{cm}^{-1}$ and $1257~\text{cm}^{-1}\pm67~\text{cm}^{-1}$, which we assign to modes of $e'$ symmetry. Analysis of the photoelectron angular distribution shows that the anisotropy parameter depends on the vibrational excitation. This dependence of the $\beta$ parameter with the vibrational excitation is attributed to the scattering of the outgoing wavefunction mediated by high-lying Rydberg states.

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physics.atom-ph 2024-04-26

Cheap diode locks to one sideband

Simple tunable phase-locked lasers for quantum technologies

Sub-Hz relative linewidth and 15 GHz tunable offset from a master laser, a fiber modulator, and a second diode.

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In a wide range of quantum technology applications, ranging from atomic clocks to the creation of ultracold or quantum degenerate samples for atom interferometry, optimal laser sources are critical. In particular, two phase-locked laser sources with a precise difference frequency are needed for efficient coherent population trapping (CPT) clocks, gray molasses laser cooling, or driving Raman transitions. Here we show how a simple cost-effective laser diode can selectively amplify only one sideband of a fiber-electrooptically-modulated seed laser to produce moderate-power phase-locked light with sub-Hz relative linewidth and tunable difference frequencies up to $\approx 15\,$GHz. The architecture is readily scalable to multiple phase-locked lasers and could conceivably be used for future on-chip compact phase-locked laser systems for quantum technologies.

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