Multiparticle entanglement of neutral atoms by Rydberg excitation in an optical lattice
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
A fundamental property of the quantum world is entanglement. Two objects are said to be entangled if a measurement on one has an effect on the other, even though there is no apparent connection between them. This spooky action at a distance can be employed to realise new technologies such as quantum cryptography, quantum teleportation and quantum computing. However, to exploit entangled states we need to be able to produce and manipulate entanglement in a controlled and flexible way. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome is that entangled states are very quickly destroyed by interactions with the external world. The aim of this project is to produce entangled states in an isolated environment where they will survive for at least 10 seconds. This will allow us plenty of time to manipulate the entangled states and establish the building blocks of a new generation of powerful computers exploiting on quantum entanglement.The method we will use is to use lasers to cool atoms to within a millionth of a degree of absolute zero. At these very low temperatures it is possible to trap atoms using laser beams and form crystals of ultra-cold atoms bound by light. These crystals are known as optical lattices and provide a very stable environment for studying quantum physics. To create entanglement we need the atoms in the lattice to interact with one another. We can create this interaction by exciting an atom using a laser pulse to a highly excited state, known as Rydberg state. In the Rydberg state, the atom creates an electric field with interacts with any neighbouring Rydberg atoms. This interaction allows the atoms to become entangled. We can detect the presence of entanglement using additional laser pulses. Once we have demonstrated entanglement, we will use entangled states to perform quantum computation. As well as the potentially exciting prospects for the advancement of computing, we will further enhance our understanding of the fundamental nature of the quantum world.
Organisations
Publications
Bason M
(2008)
Electro-optic control of atom-light interactions using Rydberg dark-state polaritons
in Physical Review A
Bason M
(2009)
Narrow absorptive resonances in a four-level atomic system
in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Mohapatra A
(2008)
A giant electro-optic effect using polarizable dark states
in Nature Physics
Mohapatra AK
(2007)
Coherent optical detection of highly excited Rydberg states using electromagnetically induced transparency.
in Physical review letters
Pritchard JD
(2010)
Cooperative atom-light interaction in a blockaded Rydberg ensemble.
in Physical review letters
Weatherill K
(2008)
Electromagnetically induced transparency of an interacting cold Rydberg ensemble
in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Description | This grant allowed to demonstrate the first ever results on the giant optical non-linearities possible using highly-excited Rydberg atoms. This has changed the history of optics. I was awarded the Thomson Medal for this work in 2014. |
Exploitation Route | We can now create a medium where photons interact strongly which is something that has not existed before. There are many possible application in particular in ICT and sensing. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics |
Description | RYSQ |
Amount | £312,000 (ETB) |
Funding ID | 640378 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 03/2015 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | Rydberg soft matter |
Amount | £609,091 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M014266/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2014 |
End | 04/2018 |