A PHOTONIC INTERFACE FOR RYDBERG ATOM ARRAYS

Arrays of neutral atoms in optical tweezers with interactions mediated by the use of highly-excited Rydberg states are emerging as a leading platform for quantum science. However, one key deficiency limits the applicability of this platform in myriad quantum science applications: a high-efficiency photonic interface that does not compromise the size and functionality of the Rydberg atom array. Photons coupled to atom arrays are needed for readout of quantum bits (“qubits”) encoded in the atoms and for remote entanglement in a quantum network. An optical cavity formed between two highly-reflective mirrors is a common photonic interface that offers the toolbox of cavity quantum electrodynamics for the interactions between light and any atom-like quantum object in the cavity volume. The integration of an optical cavity with a Rydberg atom array in a way that does not inhibit its functionality remains an outstanding challenge. The successful combination of the two technologies requires a cavity that offers strong single atom coupling but has a large mirror spacing that allows the optical access needed to control and detect a large array of individual atoms. Professor Covey’s group is building a new experiment to accomplish this goal for the first time. Covey proposes to develop a fully functional quantum networking node to link together quantum processors and quantum sensors composed of arrays of neutral atoms. Covey and his team choose alkaline earth-like ytterbium-171 to exploit its novel features, which include nuclear spin qubits, long-lived metastable “clock” states, and strong transitions in the telecommunication wavelength band. They will complete this new project and the first demonstrations of its novel capabilities, which include fast quantum readout and telecom-band quantum networking.