Dr. Junyi Lee
A*STAR, Singapore
Abstract:
Atomic vapor cells can contain a relatively large number of spin coherent atoms within convenient and compact form factors, which enables them to be used in diverse applications. For example, alkali-noble gas co-magnetometers can be used to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model or be used as high-performance gyroscopes to enable inertial navigation without external navigational aids. In this talk, I will introduce the theoretical motivations for the existence of axion-like particles and share how we were able to improve existing constraints on them by orders of magnitude using spin-polarized 3He atoms in K-3He co-magnetometers. I will explain the basic operating principles and features of such atomic vapor systems before pivoting into a discussion of how we are optimizing a similar system to be used as a gyroscope that operates in a different regime. Finally, I will discuss how similar atomic vapor systems with long nuclear spin coherence times can be used to enable practical long-distance quantum communication with minutes to hours long storage times at non-cryogenic temperatures.