Quantum computing has quickly emerged as a revolutionary paradigm that holds the potential for greatly enhanced computational capability and algorithmic efficiency, in a wide range of areas. Among the various hardware platforms, neutral atom quantum processors based on Rydberg interactions are gaining increasing interest because of their scalability, qubit-connection flexibility, and intrinsic appropriateness for solving combinatorial optimization challenges. This paper provides an overview of the present capabilities, standards, and applications of neutral atom quantum computers. We first discuss recent hardware advancements and register mapping optimization techniques that enhance circuit fidelity and performance. We next review their uses as quantum simulators, in both classical and quantum hard problems, such as MIS and QUBO problems, quantum many-body models and molecules in chemistry and pharmacology. Applications for enhancing machine learning are also covered.
Quantum computing has quickly emerged as a revolutionary paradigm that holds the potential for greatly enhanced computational capability and algorithmic efficiency, in a wide range of areas. Among the various hardware platforms, neutral atom quantum processors based on Rydberg interactions are gaining increasing interest because of their scalability, qubit-connection flexibility, and intrinsic appropriateness for solving combinatorial optimization challenges. This paper provides an overview of the present capabilities, standards, and applications of neutral atom quantum computers. We first discuss recent hardware advancements and register mapping optimization techniques that enhance circuit fidelity and performance. We next review their uses as quantum simulators, in both classical and quantum hard problems, such as MIS and QUBO problems, quantum many-body models and molecules in chemistry and pharmacology. Applications for enhancing machine learning are also covered.
Neutral Atom Quantum Computing (NAQC) emerges as a promising hardware platform primarily due to its long coherence times and scalability. Additionally, NAQC offers computational advantages encompassing potential long-range connectivity, native multi-qubit gate support, and the ability to physically rearrange qubits with high fidelity. However, for the successful operation of a NAQC processor, one additionally requires new software tools to translate high-level algorithmic descriptions into a hardware executable representation, taking maximal advantage of the hardware capabilities. Realizing new software tools requires a close connection between tool developers and hardware experts to ensure that the corresponding software tools obey the corresponding physical constraints. This work aims to provide a basis to establish this connection by investigating the broad spectrum of capabilities intrinsic to the NAQC platform and its implications on the compilation process. To this end, we first review the physical background of NAQC and derive how it affects the overall compilation process by formulating suitable constraints and figures of merit. We then provide a summary of the compilation process and discuss currently available software tools in this overview. Finally, we present selected case studies and employ the discussed figures of merit to evaluate the different capabilities of NAQC and compare them between two hardware setups.
Abstract Neutral Atom Quantum Computing(NAQC) emerges as a promising hardware platform primarily due to its long coherence times and scalability. Additionally, NAQC offers computational advantages encompassing potential long-range connectivity, native multi-qubit gate support, and the ability to physically rearrange qubits with high fidelity. However, for the successful operation of a NAQC processor, one additionally requires new software tools to translate high-level algorithmic descriptions into a hardware executable representation, taking maximal advantage of the hardware capabilities. Realizing new software tools requires a close connection between tool developers and hardware experts to ensure that the corresponding software tools obey the corresponding physical constraints. This work aims to provide a basis to establish this connection by investigating the broad spectrum of capabilities intrinsic to the NAQC platform and its implications on the compilation process. To this end, we first review the physical background of NAQC and derive how it affects the overall compilation process by formulating suitable constraints and figures of merit. We then provide a summary of the compilation process and discuss currently available software tools in this overview. Finally, we present selected case studies and employ the discussed figures of merit to evaluate the different capabilities of NAQC and compare them between two hardware setups.
Abstract Quantum computers have the potential to solve problems that are difficult or impossible to address using classical modes of computation. Laser cooled neutral atoms at ultracold temperatures offer unique possibilities to study interacting many-body quantum systems which is at the heart of various quantum condensed matter phenomena. The first-generation neutral atom quantum computers for performing special purpose quantum computations was realized by trapping ultracold atoms in optical lattices. These tunable and scalable machines provided tremendous opportunities to study various quantum phases of Bose and Fermi Hubbard models, topological phases, and non-equilibrium dynamics, with control over key system parameters enabling insightful explorations within specific quantum models. In a more recent advent, arrays of single neutral atoms trapped in optical tweezers have emerged as dark horse candidate for universal and fault tolerant quantum computing. Here, we review recent advances and achievements obtained with this platform and discuss future perspectives.
Neutral atoms, trapped in optical tweezers and lattices, have gained significant attention owing to advances in laser technologies, control hardware, and innovative experimental techniques. These systems offer unique advantages such as long coherence times, natural homogeneity, and scalability, while also presenting challenges related to gate speed limitations, atom loss, slow measurements, and other imperfections. Quantum control theory has emerged as a crucial tool for advancing these technologies by enabling precise manipulation of atoms. In this thesis, we review the foundational concepts in quantum control theory, outlining both analytical approaches and numerical optimization techniques, including methods to account for experimental imperfections. A concise overview of neutral atom platforms follows, covering two distinct operational regimes: Rydberg atoms in optical tweezers and fermionic atoms in optical superlattices. The core of the thesis is dedicated to our work addressing practical control problems in neutral atom systems. First, we develop a platform-independent method for estimating and compensating nonlinear pulse distortions in experimental setups and demonstrate its use numerically for Rydberg atom excitations. Next, we tackle the challenge of implementing fast and robust gates in fermionic atom systems trapped in superlattices by optimizing lattice depths. Finally, we explore the application of Rydberg-based analog quantum simulators for variational quantum eigensolvers, using Lie-algebraic tools to analyze symmetry restrictions. This work highlights the essential role of quantum control methods in enhancing the fidelity, robustness, and applicability of neutral atom quantum technologies. It also demonstrates how combining theoretical tools, numerical optimization, and experimental considerations leads to practical solutions for scalable and high-performance quantum systems. The methods and insights developed here also offer transferable strategies for other quantum hardware architectures.
Neutral atom quantum computing utilizes laser-trapped neutral atoms as qubits and realizes quantum logic gate operations through Rydberg-state interactions. In recent years, it has become one of the most vibrant directions in quantum computing hardware. This paper systematically reviews the working principles of neutral-atom quantum computers, including qubit encoding, atom trapping and manipulation, Rydberg states and interactions, the Rydberg blockade quantum gate mechanism, and atom rearrangement with reconfigurable architectures. The mainstream technical routes are surveyed, represented by optical tweezer arrays combined with Rydberg interactions, optical lattice schemes, and dipole trap arrays. A panoramic review is provided of domestic and international research progress from theoretical foundations in 2000 to the latest achievements in 2026, including thousand-qubit-scale systems, logical qubits, and quantum error correction experiments. Key breakthroughs are highlighted, such as the 6100-atom qubit array, continuous operation of a 3000-qubit system, quantum simulation of the Kitaev honeycomb model, toric code error correction demonstrations, encoding rates exceeding 1/2, and fault-tolerant architectures. The core bottlenecks are analyzed in depth, including the scalability--fidelity trade-off, engineering implementation of quantum error correction, atom loss and mid-circuit replenishment, laser system industrialization, control electronics scalability, and long-distance quantum interconnection. This paper aims to provide a systematic reference for academic research and technological development in this field.
Neutral atom quantum computing has evolved rapidly over the last decade, with experiments moving from investigating dipole-dipole interactions between a few Rydberg excited atoms to the creation of hardware offering thousands of atoms, reconfigurable qubit geometries and strong, long-range interactions. These advances have enabled applications to graph optimisation problems, realisation of high fidelity gate operations and first demonstrations of quantum error correction between logical qubits. In this article we provide an introduction to the neutral atom platform, providing an overview of underpinning physical concepts used for performing coherent gate operations and Rydberg atom interactions, and show how these can be combined to create a versatile platform for performing digital and analogue quantum computing, as well as programmable quantum simulation.