Thesis

Coherent control of Rydberg atoms using sub-kHz linewidth excitation lasers

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
  • Scottish Universities Physics Alliance.
Date of award
  • 2020
Thesis identifier
  • T15587
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201585945
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • This thesis presents the development of a new experimental apparatus for neutral atom quantum computing with Rydberg atoms. We describe the construction and characterisation of three continuous wave lasers stabilised simultaneously on a ultrahigh finesse Ultra-low-expansion (ULE) cavity, providing long-term stability and sub-kHz linewidth lasers with a tunable offset-lock frequency as required for high fidelity quantum operations. High-resolution spectroscopy on a cloud of cold Cs atoms was achieved using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), in order to calibrate absolute cavity mode frequencies with respect to Rydberg transitions and determine the cavity long-term drift of ~1 Hz/s.;We have demonstrated trapping of single Cs atoms in optical tweezers and developed a high-resolution imaging system capable of sub-µm spatial resolution in the atom plane. Coherent control of atomic qubits has been achieved via fast rotations between long-lived hyperfine ground states as well as coherent Rydberg excitations towards the states 50S1/2, 69S1/2 and 81D5/2. The experiment allows us to control the atoms electric field environment and minimise stray electric fields with ~1 mV/cm sensitivity, in order to keep long ground-Rydberg coherence times.;We have observed Rydberg blockade between two atoms separated by 6 µm for both states 69S1/2 and 81D5/2, showing an almost complete suppression of the doubly excited state probability. The creation of an entangled state is deduced from the √2 collective-enhancement of the Rabi oscillations with respect to the single atom case. Our ability to perform double-atom experiment offers the opportunity to implement a proof of a principle of a cNOT mesoscopic gate based on EIT, using the Rydberg state 81D5/2 for high-fidelity operations.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Pritchard, Jonathan
Resource Type
DOI
Date Created
  • 2020
Former identifier
  • 9912789293002996

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