An Aubry-Andr\'e localized optical lattice clock

Abstract:Optical lattice clocks in space could improve satellite navigation systems and enable new tests of fundamental physics, including gravitational-wave detection and tests of relativity. In microgravity, atoms can tunnel to degenerate neighboring lattice sites, broadening the clock transition and limiting coherence times. We demonstrate Aubry-André localization in a bichromatic optical lattice formed by two magic-wavelength lasers, suppressing tunneling in a horizontal lattice clock emulating free fall. We recover a Fourier-limited clock Rabi spectrum and measure Ramsey coherence times of up to 2 s in shallow lattices, with up to 100-fold improvement over the delocalized regime. These results establish Aubry-André localization as a practical route to controlling tunneling in future space-based clocks, and open a path to operating terrestrial clocks at shallower lattice depths.

Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph); Quantum Physics (quant-ph)

arXiv:2610.17499 [physics.atom-ph]

(or arXiv:2610.17499v2 [physics.atom-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2610.17499 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite

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