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Journal of Physics Conference Series

Trapping, detection and manipulation of single Rb atoms in an optical dipole trap using a long-focus objective lens

Ilya I. Beterov, Elena A. Yakshina, Denis B. Tretyakov, Vasily M. Entin, U Singh, Ya.V. Kudlaev, K. Yu. Mityanin, K.A. Panov, N. V. Al’yanova, C. Andreeva, I. I. Ryabtsev

Published Mar 1, 2021• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Single alkali-metal atoms in arrays of optical dipole traps represent a quantum register that can be used for quantum computation and simulation based on short-term Rydberg excitations, which switch the interactions between qubits. To load single atoms into optical dipole traps and then detect them by resonance fluorescence, lenses with a large numerical aperture (NA > 0.5) inside a vacuum chamber and expensive EMCCD cameras are commonly used. We present our recent experimental results on demonstrating the trapping of single 87Rb atoms using a long-focus objective lens with a low numerical aperture (NA = 0.172) placed outside the vacuum chamber, and detecting single atoms with a low-cost sCMOS camera. We also present our current results on implementing a single-qubit gate based on optical pumping and subsequent microwave transition between two hyperfine sublevels of a single 87Rb atom with fidelity near 95%.

DOI
10.1088/1742-6596/1859/1/012049

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\nWe have built a new apparatus in order to manipulate\nsingle $^{87}$Rb atoms for quantum computing. Single atoms will be loaded\nfrom a cold vapor into a microscopic dipole trap. Tests of the cooling\nsystem are under progress and first fluorescence signals have been observed\nin the magneto-optical trap. A high numerical aperture objective has been\ndesigned to perform tight focusing of the trapping light as well as high\nefficiency collection of the single atom fluorescence.\n

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We present an optical system designed to capture and observe a single neutral atom in an optical dipole trap, created by focusing a laser beam using a large-numerical-aperture $(\mathrm{NA}=0.5)$ aspheric lens. We experimentally evaluate the performance of the optical system and show that it is diffraction limited over a broad spectral range $(\ensuremath{\sim}200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm})$ with a large transverse field $(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}25\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m})$. The optical tweezer created at the focal point of the lens is able to trap single atoms of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ and to detect them individually with a large collection efficiency. We measure the oscillation frequency of the atom in the dipole trap and use this value as an independent determination of the waist of the optical tweezer. Finally, we produce with the same lens two dipole traps separated by $2.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ and show that the imaging system can resolve the two atoms.

arXiv:quant-ph/0610071•Physical Review A•Jan 8, 2007•119 citations
Abstract Single alkali-metal atoms in arrays of optical dipole traps represent a quantum register that can be used for quantum computation and simulation based on short-term Rydberg excitations, which switch the interactions between qubits. To load single atoms into optical dipole traps and then detect them by resonance fluorescence, lenses with a large numerical aperture (NA > 0.5) inside a vacuum chamber and expensive EMCCD cameras are commonly used. We present our recent experimental results on demonstrating the trapping of single 87Rb atoms using a long-focus objective lens with a low numerical aperture (NA = 0.172) placed outside the vacuum chamber, and detecting single atoms with a low-cost sCMOS camera. We also present our current results on implementing a single-qubit gate based on optical pumping and subsequent microwave transition between two hyperfine sublevels of a single 87Rb atom with fidelity near 95%.
Abstract The trapping of single atoms in optical dipole traps is widely used in experiments on the implementation of quantum processors based on neutral atoms, and studying interatomic interactions. Typically, such experiments employ lenses with a large numerical aperture (NA > 0.5), highly sensitive EMCCD cameras, or photon counters. In this work, we demonstrate trapping and detection of single rubidium atoms using a long-focus objective lens with a numerical aperture NA = 0.172 and a FLir Tau CNV sCMOS camera.
Abstract The results of experiments on the implementation of single-qubit quantum gates with a single 87Rb atom in an optical dipole trap with a wavelength of 850 nm are presented. The trap is formed by a long focal-length objective lens located outside the vacuum chamber of a magneto-optical trap. An atom is detected using a resonance fluorescence signal with an sCMOS video camera. The experiments involved the trapping and confinement of a single atom at times up to 50 s, optical pumping by polarized laser radiation, microwave transitions between two hyperfine sublevels of the ground state, and the measurement of the quantum state of the atom by pushing it from the trap. Rabi oscillations are observed during the “clock” microwave transition 5S1/2(F = 2, MF = 0) → 5S1/2(F = 1, MF = 0) between two operating qubit levels at a frequency of up to 4.2 kHz, a contrast of up to 95%, and a coherence time of up to 3 ms. These oscillations correspond to the implementation of two basic single-qubit quantum operations (Hadamard gate, NOT gate) from various initial qubit states with an average fidelity of 95.2 ± 3%.
Abstract— Schemes for laser excitation of ultracold Rydberg rubidium atoms in optical dipole traps are considered for implementing two-qubit gates on neutral atoms. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of the schemes comprising objectives arranged outside a glass cell and utilizing aspheric lenses placed inside a vacuum chamber. A scheme is suggested of the objective with a numerical aperture of 0.39 and flange focal length of 19 mm, which can be placed in a vacuum chamber and combined with a system of electrodes for controlling an electric field in the domain of atom interaction with laser radiation.
\nWe have built a new apparatus in order to manipulate\nsingle 87^{87}87Rb atoms for quantum computing. Single atoms will be loaded\nfrom a cold vapor into a microscopic dipole trap. Tests of the cooling\nsystem are under progress and first fluorescence signals have been observed\nin the magneto-optical trap. A high numerical aperture objective has been\ndesigned to perform tight focusing of the trapping light as well as high\nefficiency collection of the single atom fluorescence.\n
We present an optical system designed to capture and observe a single neutral atom in an optical dipole trap, created by focusing a laser beam using a large-numerical-aperture (NA=0.5)(\mathrm{NA}=0.5)(NA=0.5) aspheric lens. We experimentally evaluate the performance of the optical system and show that it is diffraction limited over a broad spectral range $(\ensuremath{\sim}200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm})$ with a large transverse field $(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}25\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m})$. The optical tweezer created at the focal point of the lens is able to trap single atoms of 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb and to detect them individually with a large collection efficiency. We measure the oscillation frequency of the atom in the dipole trap and use this value as an independent determination of the waist of the optical tweezer. Finally, we produce with the same lens two dipole traps separated by $2.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ and show that the imaging system can resolve the two atoms.