Realizing ponderomotive optical traps and site-selective addressing for Rydberg-atom quantum simulation

Rydberg atoms provide a versatile experimental testbed for probing fundamental physics, with wide-ranging applications, including quantum computing and quantum simulation [1], optimal control and wave-packet engineering in large Hilbert spaces, formation of exotic molecular states, and precision field sensing. Here, we propose a platform for Rydberg quantum information science based on ponderomotive trapping of Rydberg atoms [2] and coherent, site-selective control of trapped atoms [3]. The ponderomotive interaction, arising from the A-square term in the minimal-coupling Hamiltonian, supports the realization of magic traps for atomic ground and Rydberg states. Such state-independent traps can suppress motional decoherence, thereby improving the robustness of in-trap quantum simulators and computers. Moreover, the ponderomotive interaction enables site-selective, coherent transitions between Rydberg states using focused, modulated laser beams. Ponderomotive traps and modulated drive beams thereby offer an all-optical platform for in-trap quantum simulation of spin Hamiltonians on arrays of trapped atoms. In this contribution, we will outline the envisioned architectures, selected details of the setup, and experimental progress.

 

[1] Saffman, M., Walker, T. G., & Mølmer, K. (2010). Reviews of Modern Physics, 82(3), 2313–2363.

[2] Dutta, S. K., Guest, J. R., Feldbaum, D., Walz-Flannigan, A., & Raithel, G. (2000). Physical Review Letters, 85(26), 5551–5554.

[3] Moore, K. R., Anderson, S. E., & Raithel, G. (2015). Nature Communications, 6(1), 6090.