A new platform for quantum science: programmable arrays of single atoms inside an optical cavity

– 02/16 – 3:30pm – Gant West, GW-002 –

Abstract: Recently, programmable arrays of single atoms have emerged as a leading platform for quantum computing and simulation with experiments demonstrating control over hundreds of atoms [1]. Interfacing an atom array with a high-quality optical cavity promises even greater control and new capabilities. By coupling atoms to an optical cavity, we can more efficiently collect light from each atom improving detection. In addition, an optical cavity can be used to efficiently entangle many atoms in a single step relying on a novel technique called counterfactual carving [2]. I will describe our progress towards the goal of detecting and correcting errors on a register of Rubidium atoms selectively coupled to a large-waist optical cavity. Beyond detecting errors, applying corrections requires real-time feedback, and I will present a simple experiment demonstrating that fast feedback on microsecond timescales can already improve measurement fidelity. Finally, I will describe our accidental realization that we can use our cavity to directly observe collisions between pairs of trapped atoms in real time.

[1] Dolev Bluvstein et al. “Logical quantum processor based on reconfigurable atom
arrays”. In: Nature (Dec. 2023).
[2] Joshua Ramette et al. “Counter-factual carving exponentially improves entangled-state fidelity”. In: Arxiv preprint arXiv:2401.11407 (2024).

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