Preprint

PUBDB-2025-05741

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Coulomb crystallization of xenon highly charged ions in a laser-cooled Ca$^+$ matrix

Prokhorov, L. ; Smith, A. A. ; Xu, M. ; Georgiou, K. ; Guarrera, V. ; Sajith, L. P. K. ; Dijck, E. A. ; Warnecke, C.Extern*DESY* ; Wehrheim, M. ; Wilzewski, A. ; Blackburn, L. ; Keller, M. ; Boyer, V. ; Pfeifer, T. ; Schwanke, U.Extern* ; Issever, C.DESY* ; Worm, S.DESY* ; Schmidt, P. O. ; Crespo Lopez-Urrutia, J. R. ; Barontini, G. (Corresponding author)

2025

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-05741

Report No.: arXiv:2512.12266

Abstract: We report on the sympathetic cooling and Coulomb crystallization of xenon highly charged ions (HCIs) with laser-cooled Ca$^+$ ions. The HCIs are produced in a compact electron beam ion trap, then charge selected, decelerated, and finally injected into a cryogenic linear Paul trap. There, they are captured into $^{40}$Ca$^+$ Coulomb crystals, and co-crystallized within them, causing dark voids in their fluorescence images. Fine control over the number of trapped ions and HCIs allows us to realize mixed-species crystals with arbitrary ordering patterns. By investigating Xe$^{q+}$--Ca$^+$ strings, we confirm the HCI charge states, measure their lifetime and characterize the mixed-species motional modes. Our system effectively combines the established quantum control toolbox for Ca$^+$ with the rich set of atomic properties of Xe highly charged ions, providing a resourceful platform for optical frequency metrology, searches for signatures of new physics, and quantum information science.

Note: submitted to PRL

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Z_DET (Z_DET)

Research Program(s):

1. 622 - Detector Technologies and Systems (POF4-622) (POF4-622)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390837967 - EXC 2123: QuantumFrontiers - Licht und Materie an der Quantengrenze (390837967) (390837967)
3. FunClocks - Testing Fundamental Physics with Highly Charged Ion Clocks (101019987) (101019987)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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