Electron state separators for atoms, atomic interferometers, atomic transition frequency measuring devices, atomic oscillators, optical lattice clocks, quantum computers, and methods for generating superposition states of atomic electronic states.

Abstract

The atomic electronic state separator (1) of the present invention includes: an atomic supply unit (11), an atomic movement path (12), a probe laser source (13), and a magnetic field generating unit (M). The atomic supply unit (11) supplies atoms that move in the atomic movement path (12) at a certain speed. The probe laser source (13) supplies a probe laser that propagates coaxially with the atomic movement path (12) in a direction opposite to or the same as the direction of atomic movement. The magnetic field generating unit (M) generates a magnetic field orthogonal to the atomic movement path (12) in the atomic movement path (12) and mixes it with the wave function of the electronic state that allows electric dipole transitions, thereby enabling pulse excitation of clock transitions based on the same probe laser in time and space. Alternatively, a magnetic shielding member can pulse excite clock transitions by shielding the magnetic field applied in the atomic movement path (12) and spatially changing the Zeeman frequency shift, thereby enabling pulse excitation of clock transitions by the same probe laser in time and space. As a result, it is possible to continuously perform spectral analysis of atomic transitions and frequency control of the detection laser, thereby improving the stability of the atomic clock.

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