Fine-Structure Qubit Encoded in Metastable Strontium Trapped in an Optical Lattice

We demonstrate coherent control of the fine-structure qubit in neutral strontium atoms. This qubit is encoded in the metastable P23 and P03 states, coupled by a Raman transition. Using a magnetic quadrupole transition, we demonstrate coherent state initialization of this THz qubit. We show Rabi oscillations with more than 60 coherent cycles and single-qubit rotations on the μs scale. With spin echo, we demonstrate coherence times of tens of ms. Our results pave the way for fast quantum information processors and highly tunable quantum simulators with two-electron atoms. Published by the American Physical Society 2024