Three-Photon Transfer and Inelastic Collisions in ⁸⁴Sr

This work describes how we achieve a coherent three-photon transfer between the internal states ¹S₀ and ³P₀ of ⁸⁴Sr and how two-body inelastic collisions occur between these states. Despite challenges in achieving a complete transfer, we highlight the potential uses for outcoupling atoms into a continuous atom laser beam and for quantum computing. Our method allows us to prepare a high phase-space density cloud of ³P₀ atoms. This was previously difficult due to an unfavorable elastic-to-inelastic ratio, making traditional evaporative cooling impractical. Additionally, we pioneer the measurement of inelastic collisional loss rates for ³P₀ atoms in ⁸⁴Sr. Our method opens up new possibilities for realizing quantum degenerate samples in the metastable ³P₀ and ³P₂ states of alkaline-earth-like atoms.