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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)

Local Manipulation and Quantum Non-Demolition Measurement of Circular Rydberg Atoms

Yohann Machu, Andrés Durán Hernández, Gautier Creutzer, Aurore Young, J. M. Raimond, C. Sayrin, M. Brune

Published Jun 23, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Rydberg atoms are particularly well suited for quantum simulation, due to their strong dipole-dipole interactions over distances of a few microns. Defect-free arrays of Rydberg atoms are now being used in many experimental setups. However, these systems are typically constrained to simulation durations of only a few microseconds, limited by the lifetime of the laser-accessible states used. Circular Rydberg atoms (CRA), on the other hand, possess a natural lifetime up to a hundred times longer, extending to several tens of milliseconds. They offer the perspective to run quantum simulation over unprecedented timescales [1]. While the absence of optical transitions from circular Rydberg levels ensures their longevity, it also prevents their optical manipulation and readout required for local operations and measurements-key components of quantum simulation.

DOI
10.1109/cleo/europe-eqec65582.2025.11111278

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Rydberg atoms are particularly well suited for quantum simulation, due to their strong dipole-dipole interactions over distances of a few microns. Defect-free arrays of Rydberg atoms are now being used in many experimental setups. However, these systems are typically constrained to simulation durations of only a few microseconds, limited by the lifetime of the laser-accessible states used. Circular Rydberg atoms (CRA), on the other hand, possess a natural lifetime up to a hundred times longer, extending to several tens of milliseconds. They offer the perspective to run quantum simulation over unprecedented timescales [1]. While the absence of optical transitions from circular Rydberg levels ensures their longevity, it also prevents their optical manipulation and readout required for local operations and measurements-key components of quantum simulation.
We propose a novel platform for the realisation of quantum simulations of spin arrays, providing unprecedented flexibility and allowing one to explore regimes beyond the reach of other platforms. It is based on laser-trapped circular Rydberg levels. The strong van der Waals interaction between the atoms emulates a spin-1/2 XXZ Hamiltonian. All its parameters are experimentally and dynamically tunable over a wide range. A spontaneous-emission inhibiting structure extends the lifetime of individual laser-trapped circular Rydberg atoms to the minute range. Quantum simulations over more than 10410^4104 interaction cycles are thus within reach. This enables the observation of adiabatic evolutions through quantum phase transitions, of sudden quenches, and fast modulations of the interaction parameters. After I present the key features of this simulator, I will focus on our latest experimental results regarding the preparation and manipulation of laser-cooled circular Rydberg atoms in the vicinity of an atomchip in an optical-access 4K-cryostat. Lifetime measurements reveal a below-10K microwave blackbody temperature, while Ramsey interferometry shows coherence times solely limited by magnetic field noise. I will finally present our latest results on laser-trapping of circular Rydberg atoms, a decisive step towards the realisation of the proposed quantum simulator.
Among the thriving quantum computation and quantum simulation platforms based on arrays of Rydberg atoms, those using circular Rydberg atoms are particularly promising. These atoms uniquely combine the strong dipole-dipole interactions typical of Rydberg states with long lifetimes. However, low-angular-momentum ( ℓ ) laser-accessible Rydberg levels have been so far mostly used, because circular Rydberg atoms have no optical transitions, hindering their individual detection and manipulation. We remove this limitation with a hybrid platform, combining an array of data laser-trapped circular Rydberg atoms of rubidium with an auxiliary array of Rb ancilla atoms transiently excited to a low- ℓ Rydberg level. We perform a quantum nondemolition detection of the data qubit with the ancilla, through the blockade of the ancilla optical excitation induced by a Förster resonance. Conversely, we locally manipulate the data qubit through the excitation of the ancilla. This dual-Rydberg platform is highly promising for quantum computation and simulation. It adds to the circular-atom toolbox the midcircuit measurements, essential for error correction. More strikingly, it gives access to time correlations in long-term quantum simulations, uniquely accessible to circular Rydberg atoms.
Summary form only given. Quantum simulation offers a highly promising way to understand large correlated quantum systems, and many experimental platforms are now being developed. Rydberg atoms are specially appealing thanks to their strong and short-range dipole-dipole interaction and to their long lifetime. Low-angular momentum Rydberg atoms have been successfully used recently to realize early quantum simulators. These experiments suffer, however, from the limited (despite long) lifetime of these levels and the fact that they cannot be efficiently trapped [1, 2].Here, we propose to use circular Rydberg atoms, i.e., Rydberg atoms with maximum angular momentum, to realize a quantum simulator: A chain of circular atoms is laser trapped inside a spontaneous emission inhibiting structure. A defect-free chain of 40 atoms could be prepared. It is expected to live several seconds inside the inhibition structure. Given the strong interaction frequencies between nearby Rydberg atoms, such a system would, thus, allow us to observe the dynamics of the spin chain over several 10 4 interaction cycles. In addition, the solid state Hamiltonian that would be simulated is fully tuneable experimentally. The proposed circular atoms quantum simulator should therefore open the way towards the simulations of systems and of their dynamics beyond the grasp of classical computation.
Rydberg atoms are remarkable tools for quantum simulation and computation. They are the focus of an intense experimental activity, mainly based on low-angular-momentum Rydberg states. Unfortunately, atomic motion and levels lifetime limit the experimental timescale to about 100 μs. Here, we demonstrate two-dimensional laser trapping of long-lived circular Rydberg states for up to 10 ms. Our method is very general and opens many opportunities for quantum technologies with Rydberg atoms. The 10 ms trapping time corresponds to thousands of interaction cycles in a circular-state-based quantum simulator. It is also promising for quantum metrology and quantum information with Rydberg atoms, by bringing atom-field interaction times into unprecedented regimes.
Circular Rydberg atoms (CRAs), i.e., Rydberg atoms with maximal orbital momentum, ideally combine long coherence times and strong interactions, a key property of quantum systems, in particular for the development of quantum technologies. However, the dipole-dipole interaction between CRAs has not been observed so far. We report the measurement and characterization of the resonant dipole-dipole interaction between two CRAs, individually trapped in optical tweezers, and find excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. We demonstrate a dynamic control over the strength of the interaction by tuning the orientation of an electric field. We use the interaction between the CRAs as a meter for the interatomic distance, and record the relative motion between two atoms in their traps. This motion, that we induce through the interaction between Rydberg levels with permanent electric dipoles, transiently populated during the preparation of the circular states, is a signature of spin-motion coupling.
Circular Rydberg atoms (CRAs), i.e., Rydberg atoms with maximal orbital momentum, are highly promising for quantum computation, simulation, and sensing. They combine long natural lifetimes with strong interatomic interactions and coupling to electromagnetic fields. Trapping individual CRAs is essential to harness these unique features. We report the first demonstration of CRAs laser trapping in a programmable array of optical bottle beams. We observe the decay of a trapped rubidium circular level over 5 ms using a novel optical detection method. This first optical detection of alkali CRAs is both spatially and level selective. We finally observe the mechanical oscillations of the CRAs in the traps. This work opens the route to the use of circular levels in quantum devices. It is also promising for quantum simulation and information processing using the full extent of Rydberg manifolds.