New light trick keeps atomic spin stable 10x longer at room temp

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Cornell University have developed a novel technique using a single, carefully tuned laser beam to significantly enhance the stability of atomic spins in cesium vapor at room temperature. This method reduces spin relaxation—a key challenge where atoms lose their magnetic orientation due to collisions and environmental noise—by nearly tenfold without the need for traditional approaches like magnetic shielding or cryogenic cooling. The laser light induces energy level shifts that synchronize the precession of atomic spins, effectively acting as a stabilizer that maintains coherence even under conditions of high magnetic fields and ambient temperatures. This breakthrough has major implications for quantum technologies, potentially enabling more compact, stable, and practical quantum devices such as magnetometers, quantum sensors, and navigation systems that do not rely on bulky or extreme environmental controls. The approach leverages light-induced “light shifts” to keep atomic spins aligned, improving quantum coherence times and making quantum systems more robust against noise. Published in Physical Review Letters, this advancement represents a simpler, scalable solution that