Mainz 2026 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 36: Poster – Ultra-cold Atoms, Ions and BEC (joint session A/Q)

A 36.23: Poster

Thursday, March 5, 2026, 17:00–19:00, Philo 1. OG

Tools for quantum simulation with circular Rydberg states of a divalent atom — •Aaron Götzelmann, Einius Pultinevicius, Armin Humic, Marius Thomas, Christian Hölzl, Fabian Thielemann, and Florian Meinert — 5. Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

In our quantum experiment we aim to realize a quantum simulator with circular Rydberg states (CRS) of strontium. Compared to low-ℓ Rydberg states, CRS offer orders-of-magnitude longer lifetime, which allows for overcoming fundamental limitations for system coherence. The maximally allowed angular momentum and magnetic quantum numbers provided by the CRS yield limited decay channels, that can be suppressed by decreasing the mode-density in the black-body regime leading to extreme lifetimes [1]. To this end we use the Purcell-effect provided by a capacitor structure around the atoms [2].

As a divalent alkaline-earth Rydberg atom, strontium offers several advantages over monovalent elements because of the optically active ionic core. This is specifically true for CRS, which allows for coherent operation of the Sr⁺ ion with its level structure. This gives rise to various tools for our quantum simulator, such as trapping, cooling, side selective addressing [3], and fluorescence imaging of Rydberg atoms. In my contribution, I will show our endeavours on the optical detection of a CRS.

[1] Pultinevicius et al., arXiv:2510.27471 (2025)

[2] Hölzl et al., Phys. Rev. X 14, 021024 (2024)

[3] Wirth et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 123403 (2024)

Keywords: Quantum Simulation; Circular Rydberg States