Quantum Optics with Neutral Atoms
Our goal is to build a scalable and efficient platform for implementing quantum networks. Our setup combines the benefits of using neutral atoms as storage qubits and photons as traveling qubits. We trap and cool rubidium atoms in optical tweezers and bring them close to a nanophotonic cavity. At the cavity, photons are confined to a small mode volume and interact strongly with the atoms.
We aim to use these photon-mediated interactions to create entanglement between atoms—a cornerstone for quantum gates. Once we can efficiently create entanglement in a single quantum node, we can work toward building more. The development of nanophotonic devices will pave the way for scalable integrated quantum networks involving many of these atomic nodes connected by optical photons.