Quantum Simulation and Sensing with Photon-Mediated Interactions 

ORAL  · Invited

Abstract

Photons bouncing back and forth many times between highly reflecting mirrors provides a novel way mediate interactions between laser-cooled atoms held between the mirrors. Such cavity-mediated interactions provide a unique set of tools for both quantum sensing and simulation.  In this talk, I will discuss our efforts to sculpt these interactions in order to expand the palette of cavity-mediated interactions that can be a realized [1-7].  We have now harnessed these interactions to realize entanglement-enhanced sensitivity in two leading quantum sensing platforms, matterwave interferometers [8] and optical clocks [9], with future applications to new-physics searches as well as for practical timing and navigation technologies. 

[1] Young et al, Nature 625, 679-684 (2024).

[2] Young et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 134 (18) 183404 (2025).

[3] Luo et al, Nature Physics 1–8 Apr. (2025).

[4] Luo et al, arXiv:2410.12132, to appear in Science (2025).

[5] Luo et al,  Science 384 551 (2024).

[6] Niu et al, Phy. Rev. Lett. 134 (11) 113403 (2025).

[7] Song et al, Science Adv. 11, eadu5799 (2025).

[8] Greve et al, Nature 610  472-477 (2022).

[9] Robinson et al, Nature Physics 20 208-213 (2024).

*This material is based upon work supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, Quantum Systems Accelerator and the Vannevar- Bush Faculty Fellowship. We acknowledge additional funding support from the NSF under grant nos.1734006 (Physics Frontier Center) and OMA- 2016244 (QLCI Q- SEnSE); the Heising- Simons foundation; and NIST.

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Publication: [1] Young et al, Nature 625, 679-684 (2024).
[2] Young et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 134 (18) 183404 (2025).
[3] Luo et al, Nature Physics 1–8 Apr. (2025).
[4] Luo et al, arXiv:2410.12132, to appear in Science (2025).
[5] Luo et al, Science 384 551 (2024).
[6] Niu et al, Phy. Rev. Lett. 134 (11) 113403 (2025).
[7] Song et al, Science Adv. 11, eadu5799 (2025).
[8] Greve et al, Nature 610 472-477 (2022).
[9] Robinson et al, Nature Physics 20 208-213 (2024).

Presenters

  • James K Thompson

    • JILA, NIST & University of Colorado
    • JILA
    • JILA & University of Colorado

Authors

  • James K Thompson

    • JILA, NIST & University of Colorado
    • JILA
    • JILA & University of Colorado