Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

AIP conference proceedings

Manipulating Single Atoms

Dieter Meschede

Published Jan 1, 2005• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Single neutral atoms are interesting candidates for serving as qubits, the elementary objects of quantum information processing. We give an overview of experimental methods which allow us to prepare, detect, and manipulate individual neutral atoms with excellent efficiency in an optical dipole trap. We have measured long coherence times for atomic quantum state superpositions and identified the relevant decoherence mechanisms. As an application we have constructed a neutral atom quantum register from a string of atoms which can be selectively prepared in arbitrary quantum states.

DOI
10.1063/1.1928870

Related papers

Neutral Atom Quantum Register

D. Schrader, I. Dotsenko, Mkrtych Khudaverdyan +3 more

We demonstrate the realization of a quantum register using a string of single neutral atoms which are trapped in an optical dipole trap. The atoms are selectively and coherently manipulated in a magnetic field gradient using microwave radiation. Our addressing scheme operates with a high spatial resolution, and qubit rotations on individual atoms are performed with 99% contrast. In a final readout operation we analyze each individual atomic state. Finally, we have measured the coherence time and identified the predominant dephasing mechanism for our register.

arXiv:quant-ph/0409037•Physical Review Letters•Oct 6, 2004•271 citations

Quantum Information Processing on the Basis of Single Ultracold Atoms in Optical Traps

I. I. Ryabtsev, K. Yu. Mityanin, Ilya I. Beterov +5 more

Abstract A brief overview of experimental and theoretical studies on the use of single neutral atoms captured in arrays of optical dipole traps as qubits of a quantum computer is presented. Methods for loading and registering atoms in traps, and performing two-qubit quantum logic gates via dipole-dipole interaction during short-term laser excitation of atoms into Rydberg states are discussed.

Optoelectronics Instrumentation and Data Processing•Sep 1, 2020•2 citations

Characterizing single atom dipole traps for quantum information applications

Chung-Yu Shih

Ultracold neutral atoms confined in optical dipole traps have important applications in quantum computation and information processing, quantum simulators of interacting-many-body systems and atomic frequency metrology. While optical dipole traps are powerful tools for cold atom experiments, the energy level structures of the trapped atoms are shifted by the trapping field, and it is important to characterize these shifts in order to accurately manipulate and control the quantum state of the system.\n\nIn order to measure the light shifts, we have designed a system that allows us to reliably trap individual 87Rb atoms. A non-destructive detection technique is employed so that the trapped atoms can be continuously observed for over 100 seconds. Single atom spectroscopy, trap frequency measurements, and temperature measurements are performed on single atoms in a single focus trap and small number of atoms in a 1D optical lattice in order to characterize the trapping environment, the perturbed energy level structures, and the probe-induced heating.\n\nIn the second part of the thesis, we demonstrate deterministic delivery of an array of individual atoms to an optical cavity and selective addressability of individual atoms in a 1D optical conveyor, which serves as a potential candidate for scalable quantum information processing. The experiment is extended to a dual lattice system coupled to a single cavity with the capability of independent lattice control and addressability. The mutual interactions of atoms in different lattices mediated by a common cavity field are demonstrated. A semi-classical model in the many-atom regime based on the Jaynes-Cummings model is developed to describe the system that is in good qualitative agreement with the data. This work provides a foundation for developing multi-qubit quantum information experiments with a dual lattice cavity system.

•Mar 27, 2013•6 citations

Single atoms in optical traps

S. Bergamini, Benoît Darquié, Antoine Browaeys +1 more

We present a brief overview of optical trapping experiments of individual neutral atoms. Then we describe in more details an experiment using a very small optical dipole trap, that is designed to store and manipulate individual atoms. Due to the very small dipole trap volume, a "collisional blockade" mechanism locks the average number of trapped atoms on the value 0.5 over a large range of loading rates. We study this regime experimentally, and we describe methods to measure the oscillation frequencies and the temperature of a single atom in the trap with a high accuracy.

Journal de Physique IV (Proceedings)•Oct 1, 2004•1 citation

"Quantum engineering with neutral atoms one by one"

Dieter Meschede

Neutral atoms trapped in optical dipole traps can be used to store and process quantum information. We describe experimental methods to manipulate external and internal degrees of freedom of a small number of neutral atoms with access to every individual atom.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim (CLEO-PR)•Aug 1, 2007•0 citations

Robust, reusable qubits for quantum information applications

Michael J. Gibbons

Most neutral atom quantum computing experiments rely on destructive state detection techniques that eject the detected qubits from the trap. These techniques limit the repetition rate of these experiments due to the necessity of reloading a new quantum register for each operation. \n \nWe address this problem by developing reusable neutral atom qubits. Individual Rubidium 87 atoms are trapped in an optical lattice and are held for upwards of 300 s. Each atom is prepared in an initial quantum state and then the state is subsequently detected with 95% fidelity with less than a 1% probability of losing it from the trap. This combination of long storage times and nondestructive state detection will facilitate the development of faster and more complex quantum systems that will enable future advancements in the field of quantum information.

•Jan 21, 2011•1 citation
Single neutral atoms are interesting candidates for serving as qubits, the elementary objects of quantum information processing. We give an overview of experimental methods which allow us to prepare, detect, and manipulate individual neutral atoms with excellent efficiency in an optical dipole trap. We have measured long coherence times for atomic quantum state superpositions and identified the relevant decoherence mechanisms. As an application we have constructed a neutral atom quantum register from a string of atoms which can be selectively prepared in arbitrary quantum states.
We demonstrate the realization of a quantum register using a string of single neutral atoms which are trapped in an optical dipole trap. The atoms are selectively and coherently manipulated in a magnetic field gradient using microwave radiation. Our addressing scheme operates with a high spatial resolution, and qubit rotations on individual atoms are performed with 99% contrast. In a final readout operation we analyze each individual atomic state. Finally, we have measured the coherence time and identified the predominant dephasing mechanism for our register.
Ultracold neutral atoms confined in optical dipole traps have important applications in quantum computation and information processing, quantum simulators of interacting-many-body systems and atomic frequency metrology. While optical dipole traps are powerful tools for cold atom experiments, the energy level structures of the trapped atoms are shifted by the trapping field, and it is important to characterize these shifts in order to accurately manipulate and control the quantum state of the system.\n\nIn order to measure the light shifts, we have designed a system that allows us to reliably trap individual 87Rb atoms. A non-destructive detection technique is employed so that the trapped atoms can be continuously observed for over 100 seconds. Single atom spectroscopy, trap frequency measurements, and temperature measurements are performed on single atoms in a single focus trap and small number of atoms in a 1D optical lattice in order to characterize the trapping environment, the perturbed energy level structures, and the probe-induced heating.\n\nIn the second part of the thesis, we demonstrate deterministic delivery of an array of individual atoms to an optical cavity and selective addressability of individual atoms in a 1D optical conveyor, which serves as a potential candidate for scalable quantum information processing. The experiment is extended to a dual lattice system coupled to a single cavity with the capability of independent lattice control and addressability. The mutual interactions of atoms in different lattices mediated by a common cavity field are demonstrated. A semi-classical model in the many-atom regime based on the Jaynes-Cummings model is developed to describe the system that is in good qualitative agreement with the data. This work provides a foundation for developing multi-qubit quantum information experiments with a dual lattice cavity system.
We present a brief overview of optical trapping experiments of individual neutral atoms. Then we describe in more details an experiment using a very small optical dipole trap, that is designed to store and manipulate individual atoms. Due to the very small dipole trap volume, a "collisional blockade" mechanism locks the average number of trapped atoms on the value 0.5 over a large range of loading rates. We study this regime experimentally, and we describe methods to measure the oscillation frequencies and the temperature of a single atom in the trap with a high accuracy.
Most neutral atom quantum computing experiments rely on destructive state detection techniques that eject the detected qubits from the trap. These techniques limit the repetition rate of these experiments due to the necessity of reloading a new quantum register for each operation. \n \nWe address this problem by developing reusable neutral atom qubits. Individual Rubidium 87 atoms are trapped in an optical lattice and are held for upwards of 300 s. Each atom is prepared in an initial quantum state and then the state is subsequently detected with 95% fidelity with less than a 1% probability of losing it from the trap. This combination of long storage times and nondestructive state detection will facilitate the development of faster and more complex quantum systems that will enable future advancements in the field of quantum information.