Towards Quantum Simulation of Light-Matter Interfaces with Strontium Atoms in Optical Lattices

Quantum simulators based on ultracold atoms in optical lattices are renowned for their success in emulating strongly correlated condensed matter systems. In addition, recent theoretical proposals show that the high degree of controllability of these simulators also enables emulating strongly-coupled light-matter-interfaces in parameter regimes that are unattainable in real photonic systems. To realize these exciting proposals, the integration and development of experimental tools are necessary. Towards this goal, we have developed an in-vacuum, monolithic build-up cavities which will be used to increase the system sizes in quantum gas microscopes by an order of magnitude compared to the state-of-the-art, improve the lattice homogeneity, and enhance the lattice depth. These advantages will reduce finite size effects and allow implementing state-dependent lattices, which are a key ingredient to the aforementioned proposals. To benchmark the size and homogeneity of the lattices created in these cavities, we image their intensity profile using clock spectroscopy. Although our purpose for the cavities are focused on quantum simulation, our results present a viable solution to create ultracold atoms experiments where compactness, stability, and large, deep lattices can be achieved simultaneously.