Towards Quantum Simulation of Light-Matter Interfaces with Strontium Atoms in Optical Lattices

In the last two decades, quantum simulators based on ultracold atoms in optical lattices have successfully emulated strongly correlated condensed matter systems. With the recent development of quantum gas microscopes, these quantum simulators can now control such systems with single-site resolution. Within the same time period, atomic clocks have also started to take advantage of optical lattices by trapping alkaline-earth-metal atoms such as Sr, and interrogating them with unprecedented precision and accuracy.

Here, we report on progress towards a new quantum simulator that combines quantum gas microscopy with optical lattice clock technology. We have developed in-vacuum buildup cavities with large mode volumes and demonstrate highly stable 2D optical lattices at nonstandard wavelengths. We characterize thes lattice potential envelope using clock spectroscopy and show that they support Mott insulators with diameters >100 μm. In addition, we present precision spectroscopy of the ultra-narrow magnetic quadrupole transition ¹S₀–³P₂ in Sr, which enables spatially selective addressing in an optical lattice. By combining these techniques with our previously demonstrated highly state-dependent lattices for the clock states, we aim to emulate strongly-coupled light-matter-interfaces.