Coherence properties of highly-excited motional states of a trapped ion. (2nd December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jarlaud, V; Hrmo, P; Joshi, M K; Thompson, R C
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 54:Number 1(2021:Jan. 6)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-02
• Subjects: trapped ions -- quantum coherence -- decoherence -- laser cooling -- dephasing -- motional state engineering; Atoms -- Periodicals; Molecules -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; 539.6
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6455/abc271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4075

Abstract

Abstract: We present a study of the coherence properties of a variety of motional states of a single ion confined in a Penning ion trap. We demonstrate that the motion of the ion has a coherence time of the order of 1 s, using Ramsey interferometry. We introduce a technique for preparing the ion in an incoherent superposition of highly-excited motional states using a simple modification of optical sideband cooling. Coherent manipulation of these states allows measurements of optical and motional coherence to be carried out. We show that these highly-excited motional state superpositions have long coherence times despite the incoherent preparation of the states. Such states can be useful for sensitive motional dephasing measurements.