Construction of a novel strontium quantum simulator

Abstract

This dissertation describes the design and construction of a quantum simulation platform based on ultracold strontium atoms. The work establishes key experimental infrastructure, including a high-flux atomic source, ultra-high vacuum environment, and a cost-efficient laser delivery system, enabling the cooling and trapping of all four stable isotopes. Atoms are first captured in a blue magneto-optical trap at 461 nm, then transferred to a red trap at 689 nm, reaching temperatures below one microkelvin. A dynamically tunable 3D accordion lattice provides control over lattice spacing, supported by high-resolution single-atom imaging. An optical Stern–Gerlach scheme enables spatially resolved nuclear spin detection in fermionic strontium, opening opportunities to explore magnetism, many-body physics, and interaction effects within the SU(N>2) Fermi–Hubbard model framework.