Atomic vapor cells can contain a relatively large number of 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 while alkali magnetometers can be used to enable novel medical research and non-invasive brain-computer interfaces. 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 K-3He co-magnetometers. Along the way, I will explain the basic operating principles and features of such atomic vapor systems before pivoting into a discussion of how we have used alkali vapor cells to build a practical magnetometer capable of measuring Earth’s magnetic field at the part per billion level. Finally, I will discuss how similar atomic vapor systems can potentially be used to enable practical long-distance quantum communication with minutes to hours long storage times at non-cryogenic temperatures.
Junyi received his B.A. in physics from the University of Chicago and obtained his Ph.D. in physics at Princeton University under Professor Michael Romalis. He is currently a senior scientist within the Quantum Innovation Center at A*STAR, Singapore, where he leads a small team working on atomic vapor systems. His research includes searching for axion-like particles with atomic physics techniques, building practical magnetometers with part-per-billion sensitivity in Earth’s field, and developing efficient algorithms for quantum computers. He is currently interested in developing new sensitive atomic magnetometers that are immune to orientation-dependent systematic effects and in achieving quantum memories with hours-long lifetimes.