Optical Clocks based on Ion Coulomb Crystals
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tanja Mehlstäubler (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig)

Single trapped and laser-cooled ions in Paul traps allow for a high degree of control of atomic quantum systems. They are the basis for modern atomic clocks, quantum computers and quantum simulators. Our research aims to use ion Coulomb crystals, i.e. many-body systems with complex dynamics, for precision spectroscopy. This paves the way to novel quantum clocks for applications such as relativistic geodesy and improved navigation.

The high-level of control of self-organized Coulomb crystals also opens up a fascinating insight into the non-equilibrium dynamics of coupled many-body systems, displaying atomic friction and symmetry-breaking phase transitions. We discuss the creation of topological defects in 2D crystals and present recent results on the study of tribology and transport mediated by the topological defect.