Group seminar at LMU and Zoom: Rydberg Quantum Optics with Ultracold Ytterbium
 

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hofferberth, University of Bonn, Germany
Group seminar at LMU seminar room and Zoom
Monday, 09 March 2026, 2pm (MEZ)

Rydberg quantum optics exploits the Rydberg blockade effect in atomic ensembles to create an effective interaction between individual optical photons. Coherent mapping of the Rydberg interaction between atoms onto photons propagating through the medium has enabled the realization of photon-photon gates, single-photon level circuit components such as optical transistors and switches and the study of strongly correlated few-body systems of photons.
To date experiments have used alkali atomic species such as Rb or Cs, because of well-established laser cooling and manipulation techniques. Earth-alkaline-(like) atoms such as Sr or Yb offer unique new properties both for initial cooling and trapping as well as novel Rydberg physics. In particular, bosonic Yb offers an ideal level scheme for Rydberg quantum optics, with well-matched excitation wavelengths and the complete absence of fine- and hyper-fine structure in Rydberg S-states. 
In this talk I will give an overview of our Yb apparatus designed for few-photon Experiments and discuss newly determined properties of Yb Rydberg states, captured by multi-channel Quantum defect theory. I will also present our detailed study of Yb ultralongrange Rydberg molecules, the first Investigation of this binding mechanism in Yb Atoms. Finally, I will discuss our current Status observing the first photon-photon interaction in this novel system.