Fine-Structure Qubit Encoded in Metastable Strontium Trapped in an Optical Lattice

We demonstrate coherent control of the fine-structure qubit in neutral strontium atoms. This qubit is encoded in the metastable \(^3\mathrm{P}_2\) and \(^3\mathrm{P}_0\) states, coupled by a Raman transition. Using a magnetic quadrupole transition, we demonstrate coherent state-initialization of this THz qubit. We show Rabi oscillations with more than 60 coherent cycles and single-qubit rotations on the \(\mu\)s scale. With spin-echo, we demonstrate coherence times of tens of ms. Our results pave the way for fast quantum information processors and highly tunable quantum simulators with two-electron atoms.