Taming, slowing and trapping atoms with light
Cold is quantum, Quantum is cool!
We shape quantum matter
Multicolored lasers for a variety of atoms
Keeping our eyes on the quantum world
Join our ultracool group!
High technology for great science
Taming, slowing and trapping atoms with light

Welcome to the website of the Ultracold Quantum Gases group at the European Laboratory for Nonlinear Spectroscopy (LENS), the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Florence (Italy) and the Institute of Optics of the Italian National Research Council (CNR - INO). In our labs we use lasers and magnetic fields to produce the lowest temperatures of the Universe, just a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero...

At these temperatures, atoms stop moving and we can control them for a variety of different fundamental studies and applications. We can force atoms to arrange according to a periodic structure and simulate the behavior of crystalline solids and new materials. We can use the atoms as ultra-high accurate sensors to probe forces with the power of quantum mechanics. We can study how quantum particles combine together under the action of strong interactions and how superfluidity develops. We can use these ultracold atoms to process information and develop new quantum technologies.

Dress warmly and... follow us for this ultracold journey!

LAST NEWS

Workshop: Quantum Fluids of Light and Matter, Florence 12-14 March

We are pleased to announce a scientific workshop on Quantum Fluids of Light and Matter, jointly organized by CNR-INO and CNR-Nanotec as part of the NQSTI project (Spoke 3 and Spoke 4). The event will take place from March 12-14 at LENS (European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy) in Florence. Researchers from Lecce (CNR-Nanotec), Florence, and Pisa (CNR-INO, University of Florence, LENS) will present their latest work on quantum fluids, exploring topics at the intersection of light-matter interactions, atomic physics, and quantum gases.

The workshop is designed to foster collaboration and stimulate new ideas, with ample time dedicated to discussions and brainstorming sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art labs at LENS, which specialize in atomic physics, quantum gases, and photonics, providing a unique chance to engage with cutting-edge experimental setups and techniques. This meeting aims to strengthen connections within the NQSTI community and inspire joint projects that push the boundaries of quantum science and technology. We look forward to welcoming you to Florence for this exciting exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Here you can find the full program of the event, that you can also join remotely at this link.

Scientific Committee
Giovanni Modugno (University of Florence)
Dimitrios Trypogeorgos (CNR Nanotec)
Deborah Capecchi (CNR Nanotec)
Nicolò Antolini (CNR INO)

 

Setting up the Yb-cavity lab

We are setting up the first lasers and furniture and we are waiting for the atomic source: it's starting to look like a lab!

Array of individual Sr Atoms

In the Sr Rydberg lab, we have successfully trapped individual Strontium atoms using a one-dimensional array of optical tweezers. The video demonstrates a sequence of experimental cycles, during which the presence of atoms is detected via fluorescence imaging. After loading multiple atoms in each optical tweezer, the occupancy is reduced to either zero or one atom exploiting a light-assisted collision mechanism which expels pairs of atoms. On average, we achieve 40% single-atom occupancy, with atoms randomly distributed across the array, as shown in the video. This work is a significant step towards the preparation of defect-free arrays of single atoms in optical tweezers, which will be the starting point for future quantum simulation experiments.

Atoms arrived!

Our atomic source has arrived, as well as the first lasers, and testing is underway!

Special thanks to Yb lab for the hospitality.

Measuring Hall voltage and resistance for interacting fermions

The Hall effect is a cornerstone of modern science, spanning applications from cutting-edge technologies to the discovery of exotic topological phases of matter. In solid-state systems, it manifests as a voltage perpendicular to current flow in a magnetic field, giving rise to transverse Hall resistance. Yet, its behavior in quantum systems remains elusive. Using neutral-atom quantum simulators, we introduce the first direct measurement of Hall voltage and resistance in a non-electron-based system. This work links quantum simulations to real-world experiments, unlocking new avenues to explore the Hall effect in tunable, strongly correlated systems.

T.-W. Zhou et al.
Measuring Hall voltage and Hall resistance in an atom-based quantum simulator
arXiv:2411.09744 (2024)

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