Measurement of spin precession is central to extreme sensing in physics,1,2 geophysics,3 chemistry,4 nanotechnology5 and neuroscience,6 and underlies powerful magnetic resonance spectroscopies.7 Because there is no spin-angle operator, any measurement of spin precession is necessarily indirect, e.g., inferred from spin projectors Fα at different times. Such projectors do not commute, and thus quantum measurement back-action (QMBA) necessarily enters the spin measurement record, introducing errors and limiting sensitivity. Here we show how to reduce this disturbance below δFα∼N, the classical limit for N spins, by directing the QMBA almost entirely into an unmeasured spin component. This generates a planar squeezed state8 which, because spins obey non-Heisenberg uncertainty relations,9,10 allows simultaneous precise knowledge of spin angle and amplitude. We use high-dynamic-range optical quantum non-demolition measurements11–13 applied to a precessing magnetic spin ensemble, to demonstrate spin tracking with steady-state angular sensitivity 2.9 dB beyond the standard quantum limit, simultaneous with amplitude sensitivity 7.0 dB beyond Poisson statistics.14 This method for the first time surpasses classical limits in non-commuting observables, and enables orders-of-magnitude sensitivity boosts for state-of-the-art sensing15–18 and spectroscopy.19,20

We report on the simultaneous observation from four directions of the fluorescence of single 87 Rb atoms trapped at the common focus of four high numerical aperture (NA = 0.5) aspheric lenses. We use an interferometrically-guided pick-and-place technique to precisely and stably position the lenses along the four cardinal directions with their foci at a single central point. The geometry gives right angle access to a single quantum emitter, and will enable new trapping, excitation, and collection methods. The fluorescence signals indicate both sub-Poissonian atom number statistics and photon anti-bunching, showing suitability for cold atom quantum optics.

We describe a cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric down-conversion (CE-SPDC) source for narrowband photon pairs with filters such that over 97% of the correlated photons are in a single mode of 4.3(4) MHz bandwidth. Type-II phase matching, a tuneable-birefringence resonator, MHzresolution pump tuning, and tuneable Fabry-Perot filters are used to achieve independent signal and idler tuning. We map the CE-SPDC spectrum using difference frequency generation to precisely locate the emission clusters, and demonstrate CE-SPDC driven atomic spectroscopy. The generated photon pairs efficiently interact with neutral rubidium, a well-developed system for quantum networking and quantum simulation. The techniques are readily extensible to other material systems.

Background: Optical microtraps at the focus of high numerical aperture (high-NA) imaging systems enable efficient collection, trapping, detection and manipulation of individual neutral atoms for quantum technology and studies of optical physics associated with super- and sub-radiant states.  The recently developed “Maltese cross” geometry (MCG) atom trap uses four in-vacuum lenses to achieve four-directional high-NA optical coupling to single trapped atoms and small atomic arrays. This article presents the first extensive characterisation of atomic behaviour in a MCG atom trap. Methods: We employ a MCG system optimised for high coupling efficiency and characterise the resulting properties of the trap and trapped atoms.  Using current best practices, we measure occupancy, loading rate, lifetime, temperature, fluorescence anti-bunching and trap frequencies. We also use the four-directional access to implement a new method to map the spatial distribution of collection efficiency from high-NA optics:  we use the two on-trap-axis lenses to produce a 1D optical lattice, the sites of which are stochastically filled and emptied by the trap loading process. The two off-trap-axis lenses are used for imaging and single-mode collection.  Correlations of single-mode and imaging fluorescence signals are then used to map the single-mode collection efficiency. Results: We observe trap characteristics comparable to what has been reported for single-atom traps with one- or two-lens optical systems. The collection efficiency distribution in the axial and transverse directions is directly observed to be in agreement with expected collection efficiency distribution from Gaussian beam optics. Conclusions: The multi-directional high-NA access provided by the Maltese cross geometry enables complex manipulations and measurements not possible in geometries  with fewer  directions of  access,  and can  be  achieved  while  preserving other trap characteristics such as lifetime, temperature, and trap size.

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