Cavity Lab
Cavity quantum electrodynamics with atomic tweezer arrays
The interaction of a single two-level atom with a quantized light field is the textbook example of quantum electrodynamics. With our experiment, we aim to extend this canonical setting to many atoms.
Our approach is based on an array of neutral atoms trapped in optical tweezers. A high-finesse optical cavity provides a strong atom-light coupling (C=80) and we can engineer non-local interactions between the atoms mediated by the coupling to the cavity mode.
Microscopic addressing of the atoms allows us to tune the coupling strength of each atom individually, allowing us to engineer programmable connectivity between the atoms.
The state of each atom can be prepared, evolved,
and read out with high fidelity. This provides us with a flexible and versatile quantum processor for quantum simulation, computation, and communication experiments.
The cavity mirrors consist of machined optical fiber facets as substrates with small diameters and large curvature, necessary to simultaneously reach strong coupling and microscopic access within the atomic array.
The vacuum system is designed in a modular way, and optimized to achieve fast cycle times. A section with a 2D magneto-optical trap (MOT) provides an atomic beam that is directed into the ultra-high vacuum section with a 3D-MOT, from which we directly load atoms into an array of optical tweezers. We use an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) to transfer the tweezers from the 3DMOT region into the optical cavity.
