Southwest Quantum Information and Technology

Interfering and entangling individual neutral atoms

Presenting Author: Cindy Regal, (JILA, Colorado)

Ultracold gases of bosons and fermions present a unique opportunity in quantum science to investigate the relation between strongly-correlated quantum matter and quantum information concepts. Increasingly experiments have turned to developing single-atom imaging and control to elucidate these connections. In our work we show that it is now possible to harness Bose statistics by independently preparing single rubidium atoms cooled to their motional ground state. By using optical tweezers to dynamically bring the atoms together we can study tunnel-coupled bosons with a new level of control. We observe the Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect with massive particles when we arrange for atom tunneling to play the role of a balanced beamsplitter. In another experiment, we utilize spin-exchange between the atoms to create entanglement, and we then are able to verify the entanglement of the atoms after spatially separating them. I will discuss the implication of these experiments for the assembly and control of larger quantum systems.

(Session 6 : Friday from 8:30 am - 9:15 am)