Summary
Quantum simulators enable probing the static and dynamic properties of correlated quantum many-body systems that would otherwise be numerically inaccessible using classical simulators. We are developing quantum simulators based on arrays of neutral atoms excited to Rydberg states. Such Rydberg atom arrays are advantageous for simulating the dynamics of interacting spin systems (Ising spin models) in higher dimensions and arbitrary geometries. Our first simulator uses alkali atoms trapped in two-dimensional arrays of optical tweezers. It is currently being designed, built and operated by our team. It will be used for studying many-body quantum dynamics, non-equilibrium physics, and quantum chaos. We will explore these areas after optimizing our control gates and engineering interactions using coherent excitation to Rydberg states. We will also explore novel ideas presented by the early adopter community, such as approaches to gain better insight into advanced materials. Finally, as this project involves the development of novel quantum hardware, including an optimal control toolbox and advanced laser systems, it may lead to further application to quantum enhanced sensing and precision metrology.

Figure 1. Classical simulation of the dynamics of a chain of five interacting atoms exhibiting coherent many-body oscillations after being adiabatically driven across a phase transition from a disordered state into an ordered state and suddenly quenched into a far-from-equilibrium state. Quantum simulators enable extending those simulation results into numerically inaccessible regimes for larger system sizes and higher dimensions.
Related Content

Photonic Quantum Processor
Photonic quantum processors based on integrated quantum photonic circuits require entangled photon pairs to perform quantum computations. However, current state-of-the-art technologies utilize probabilistic entangled photon sources with limited pair-extraction efficiencies, negatively affecting the computation speed. This project aims to boost the speed of on-chip quantum operations by using bright, on-demand entangled photon sources with an […]
April 24, 2023

On-Chip Microwave-Optical Quantum Interface
Summary In this project we develop a quantum interface between microwave and optical photons as a key enabling technology of a hybrid quantum network. In such a network, the robust optical photons carry quantum information through optical fibres over long distances, while superconducting microwave circuits protected from thermal photon noise by the low temperature […]
October 29, 2018

Free-space Polarization-selective Microcavity based on Chiral Metasurfaces
Summary Developing a new type of Fabry-Pérot cavity that allows improved control of the atoms’ emission into the cavity mode will result in enhancement of the efficiency and fidelity of quantum state transfer from photons to atoms and back. This in turn can be used to improve the performance of quantum networks and repeaters, as […]
September 19, 2019

Quantum Material Multilayer Photonic Devices and Network
Summary Realizing highly integrated quantum photonic devices on a chip can enable new opportunities for photonic quantum computation. In this project, we explore heterostructures of stacked two-dimensional (2D) materials, such transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) or graphene, combined with optical microcavities as a platform for such devices. 2D materials are extremely thin and flexible, and have […]
December 12, 2019