Tweezer arrays of polar molecules present new opportunities for quantum science and quantum information. However, a major challenge, especially in bialkali molecule platforms, is the fact that current measurement schemes for the internal states are destructive. In this work, we present a method to use Rydberg atoms to nondestructively measure the internal state of a molecular qubit. We achieve this via microwave dressing of both molecules and Rydberg atoms, allowing us to tune the interactions so that there are minimal Rydberg-Rydberg interactions and many measurements can take place simultaneously. We consider two experimentally-motivated examples of detecting $^{23}$ Na $^{133}$ Cs and $^{87}$ Rb $^{133}$ Cs with $^{133}$ Cs atoms. Finally, we discuss several strategies for mitigating various sources of crosstalk.Tweezer arrays of polar molecules present new opportunities for quantum science and quantum information. However, a major challenge, especially in bialkali molecule platforms, is the fact that current measurement schemes for the internal states are destructive. In this work, we present a method to use Rydberg atoms to nondestructively measure the internal state of a molecular qubit. We achieve this via microwave dressing of both molecules and Rydberg atoms, allowing us to tune the interactions so that there are minimal Rydberg-Rydberg interactions and many measurements can take place simultaneously. We consider two experimentally-motivated examples of detecting $^{23}$Na$^{133}$Cs and $^{87}$Rb$^{133}$Cs with $^{133}$Cs atoms. Finally, we discuss several strategies for mitigating various sources of crosstalk.

quant-pharXiv:2601.08921Jan 15, 20260 citations

Probing interactions of thermal Sr Rydberg atoms using simultaneous optical and ion detection

R Hanley, Alistair D. Bounds, Paul H. Huillery +5 more

Abstract We demonstrate a method for probing interaction effects in a thermal beam of strontium atoms using simultaneous measurements of Rydberg EIT and spontaneously created ions or electrons. We present a Doppler-averaged optical Bloch equation model that reproduces the optical signals and allows us to connect the optical coherences and the populations. We use this to determine that the spontaneous ionization process in our system occurs due to collisions between Rydberg and ground state atoms in the EIT regime. We measure the cross section of this process to be 0.6 ± 0.2 σ geo , where σ geo is the geometrical cross section of the Rydberg atom. This result adds complementary insight to a range of recent studies of interacting thermal Rydberg ensembles.Abstract We demonstrate a method for probing interaction effects in a thermal beam of strontium atoms using simultaneous measurements of Rydberg EIT and spontaneously created ions or electrons. We present a Doppler-averaged optical Bloch equation model that reproduces the optical signals and allows us to connect the optical coherences and the populations. We use this to determine that the spontaneous ionization process in our system occurs due to collisions between Rydberg and ground state atoms in the EIT regime. We measure the cross section of this process to be 0.6 ± 0.2 σ geo , where σ geo is the geometrical cross section of the Rydberg atom. This result adds complementary insight to a range of recent studies of interacting thermal Rydberg ensembles.

arXiv:1702.05039Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsApr 21, 20178 citations

Laboratory Studies of Rydberg Atoms

Daniel Kleppner

Astrophysics and space science libraryJan 1, 19800 citations

High-Precision Spectroscopy Using Rydberg Atoms

Kaitlin Moore

Using cold atoms, I probe the energy-level intervals between Rydberg states to high spectroscopic precision. The focus of this work is to lay the groundwork for an updated, highly-controlled measurement of the Rydberg constant using circular-state Rydberg atoms, needed to resolve a recent conflict in proton-radius values that arose in 2010 (the so-called 'proton radius puzzle'). Toward this end, I have demonstrated a fundamentally-new mechanism with which to drive atomic (Rydberg-Rydberg) transitions, utilizing an inelastic (state-changing) ponderomotive interaction. Until now, the multipole-field interaction has been the sole mechanism on which spectroscopy of atomic transitions has been based. In this work, the state-changing ponderomotive interaction ('ponderomotive spectroscopy') is demonstrated by amplitude-modulating an optical standing wave at a transition resonance of a Rydberg atom. At the core of this new spectroscopic technique is the requirement that the light intensity must be modulated in space within the atomic volume, and in time at the desired atomic transition frequency. A Rydberg atom in a modulated optical lattice is very well-suited for a demonstration of this novel type of spectroscopy. Magic-wavelength conditions of this interaction are also identified, as well as a method to drive transitions at harmonics of the modulation. Both of these features of ponderomotive spectroscopy will be utilized to simultaneously trap and probe Rydberg atoms to perform the Rydberg constant measurement. I also present a high-precision measurement of the quantum defect of a high-angular-momentum state of rubidium, the atomic species that will be used in the Rydberg constant measurement. The quantum defects of high-angular-momentum states are needed to determine the effect of the rubidium core polarizability on the Rydberg constant measurement, which is anticipated to be a leading uncertainty. Finally, I present the background and design work for a measurement of the Rydberg constant specifically tailored to help resolve the proton radius puzzle, thereby completing the major preliminary work needed for the performance of that high-precision measurement.Using cold atoms, I probe the energy-level intervals between Rydberg states to high spectroscopic precision. The focus of this work is to lay the groundwork for an updated, highly-controlled measurement of the Rydberg constant using circular-state Rydberg atoms, needed to resolve a recent conflict in proton-radius values that arose in 2010 (the so-called 'proton radius puzzle'). Toward this end, I have demonstrated a fundamentally-new mechanism with which to drive atomic (Rydberg-Rydberg) transitions, utilizing an inelastic (state-changing) ponderomotive interaction. Until now, the multipole-field interaction has been the sole mechanism on which spectroscopy of atomic transitions has been based. In this work, the state-changing ponderomotive interaction ('ponderomotive spectroscopy') is demonstrated by amplitude-modulating an optical standing wave at a transition resonance of a Rydberg atom. At the core of this new spectroscopic technique is the requirement that the light intensity must be modulated in space within the atomic volume, and in time at the desired atomic transition frequency. A Rydberg atom in a modulated optical lattice is very well-suited for a demonstration of this novel type of spectroscopy. Magic-wavelength conditions of this interaction are also identified, as well as a method to drive transitions at harmonics of the modulation. Both of these features of ponderomotive spectroscopy will be utilized to simultaneously trap and probe Rydberg atoms to perform the Rydberg constant measurement. I also present a high-precision measurement of the quantum defect of a high-angular-momentum state of rubidium, the atomic species that will be used in the Rydberg constant measurement. The quantum defects of high-angular-momentum states are needed to determine the effect of the rubidium core polarizability on the Rydberg constant measurement, which is anticipated to be a leading uncertainty. Finally, I present the background and design work for a measurement of the Rydberg constant specifically tailored to help resolve the proton radius puzzle, thereby completing the major preliminary work needed for the performance of that high-precision measurement.

Jan 1, 20170 citations

Collision Spectroscopy of Rydberg Atoms

James Veale

Jan 1, 19950 citations

^{23}

^{133}

Cs and

^{87}

^{133}

Cs with

^{133}

Cs atoms. Finally, we discuss several strategies for mitigating various sources of crosstalk.