Atomic Coherence of 2 Minutes and Instability of 1.5×10−18 at 1 s in a Wannier-Stark Lattice Clock

Abstract

We explore the limits of atomic coherence and measurement precision in a 87 Sr optical lattice clock. We perform a detailed characterization of key effects, including lattice Raman scattering and atomic collisions in a shallow lattice configuration, determining a 174(28) s 3 𝑃0 clock state lifetime. Investigation of atomic coherence across a range of lattice depths and atomic densities reveals decoherence mechanisms related to photon scattering and atomic interaction. At a reduced density, we observe a coherence time of 118(9) s, approaching the fundamental limit set by spontaneous emission. Guided by this coherence understanding, we demonstrate a clock instability for an atomic ensemble of 1.5×10−18 at 1 s in fractional frequency units. Our results are important for further advancing the state of the art of an optical lattice clock for fundamental physics applications.