An Experimental Apparatus for Studying Rydberg-Rydberg Interactions in Quantum Degenerate Gases of Strontium

We discuss the design and construction of a new apparatus for creating and studying long-range interactions in ultracold gases of strontium by exploiting Rydberg states, either through their direct excitation or through laser-induced Rydberg dressing. Strontium features one fermionic ($^{\mathrm{87}}$Sr) and three bosonic ($^{\mathrm{84}}$Sr, $^{\mathrm{86}}$Sr, $^{\mathrm{88}}$Sr) isotopes, all of which have been brought to quantum degeneracy. It also possesses singlet and triplet Rydberg states that furnish a wide variety of attractive and repulsive interactions. ~Furthermore, strontium Rydberg atoms feature an optically active core electron which can be used to manipulate and detect Rydberg atoms. These features make strontium a promising system for studying interactions in ultracold Rydberg gases.