Long-Range Interactions and Dynamics in Er/Dy–Yb Hybrid Atom-Ion Systems

Dipolar quantum gases have opened new paths for simulating highly correlated systems and exploring exotic quantum matter states [1]. Simultaneously, cold hybrid atom-ion systems provide a versatile platform for investigating interactions between neutral and charged particles and studying charged impurities immersed in a quantum environment [2]. Bringing both systems together could represent an opportunity to study new phases on dipolar quantum matter, and new ion-neutral reaction mechanisms. In this work, we explore the quantum interactions between a ytterbium (Yb) ion and a neutral atom in a cold hybrid atom-ion system, where the atomic gas consists of the strongly magnetic species Er or Dy. To achieve this, we calculate the long-range interaction coefficients Cn with n = 3,4,5 and 6, relevant in the low energy regime; and simulate the particle dynamics within a Paul trap under these potentials.

[1] Lauriane Chomaz et al, 2023 Rep. Prog. Phys. 86 026401

[2] M. Tomza et al, Cold hybrid ion-atom systems, Rev. Mod. Phys. 91, 035001 (2019).