Applied Physics Seminar | Frontiers in quantum science with neutral ytterbium atoms trapped in optical tweezer arrays

Abstract: In quantum science, we strive to construct systems that utilize the quantum behavior of nature to encode and measure information. This enables the exploration of new scientific and technological regimes by controlling and coherently manipulating the internal quantum states of the system's constituent elements (e.g., atoms, photons, solid-state spins). The highly controllable and coherent nature of neutral atoms makes them an attractive quantum element for quantum information science. Experimental tools such as optical tweezers have enabled unprecedented control and manipulation of single atoms, allowing the creation of defect-free atom arrays in one and two dimensions. Exciting atoms to a high principal quantum number state, known as a Rydberg state, creates strong inter-atomic interactions used to achieve entangling operations for quantum computing and to simulate quantum systems. I will discuss the construction of our neutral ytterbium (Yb) tweezer apparatus and why Yb is a particularly exciting atom for pursuing quantum information science. In addition to using Rydberg states, I will describe how we can leverage the precise control afforded by optical tweezers to integrate these cold-atom systems with a nanophotonic platform and create conditions in the array where the atoms experience cooperative optical resonances, which can be used to store and distribute quantum information.