arXiv subjects

C. Stuart Adams

Publications and source records attributed to C. Stuart Adams.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Switching Rydberg interactions by three orders of magnitude using a terahertz field

Atom-based quantum computing exploits the ability to enhance atom-atom interactions by employing laser excitation to higher-excited Rydberg states. Additional fields that drive transitions between Rydberg states can offer independent control of these atom-atom interactions. However, as microwave (mw) fields only provide access to states with similar principal quantum number $n$, their ability to switch the interactions' strength is limited. Here, we use a pulsed terahertz field to rapidly switch the strength of interactions between Rydberg atoms by three orders of magnitude. We demonstrate interaction switching using photon storage, where the terahertz field induces an interaction induced dephasing of the stored photon. This ability to switch interactions offers advantages for single-qubit readout, state-detection schemes, quantum annealing, and Rydberg quantum optics.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Simultaneous optical and multi-band terahertz imaging using an atomic quantum sensor

We demonstrate simultaneous imaging at 0.549 THz and 1.012 THz with an optical overlay using a two-species atomic-vapour-based technique. The atomic vapour, comprising laser-pumped rubidium and caesium atoms contained within the same cell, is used to convert two narrowband terahertz signals to optical frequencies which can then be detected using standard CMOS sensors. We use the system to image and perform spectral analysis of material samples. As atomic vapour is optically transparent, by using optically-transparent terahertz lenses, we can achieve simultaneous optical imaging, allowing for potential integration of terahertz sensitivity into a range of optical imaging devices.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Temporally-multiplexed dual-frequency terahertz imaging at kilohertz frame rates

We present a temporally-multiplexed dual-colour terahertz (THz) imaging technique using THz-to-optical conversion in atomic vapour. By rapidly alternating the pump laser frequency, we sequentially excite two atomic states, each absorbing a different THz frequency: 0.5 THz and 1.1 THz. Each THz field induces optical fluorescence at a distinct wavelength, enabling the creation of a sequence of alternating, interleaved images for each frequency. Synchronizing the laser switching with camera acquisition allows video capture at 1,000 frames per second for both frequencies. The system's speed is limited only by laser power and fibre switching hardware. The presented method can be scaled to image more THz frequencies through the addition of further laser frequencies, paving the way for THz hyperspectral imaging in many real-world settings.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Graph Coloring via Quantum Optimization on a Rydberg-Qudit Atom Array

Neutral atom arrays have emerged as a versatile candidate for the embedding of hard classical optimization problems. Prior work has focused on mapping problems onto finding the maximum independent set of weighted or unweighted unit disk graphs. In this paper we introduce a new approach to solving natively-embedded vertex graph coloring problems by performing coherent annealing with Rydberg-qudit atoms, where different same-parity Rydberg levels represent a distinct label or color. We demonstrate the ability to robustly find optimal graph colorings for chromatic numbers up to the number of distinct Rydberg states used, in our case $k=3$. We analyze the impact of both the long-range potential tails and residual inter-state interactions, proposing encoding strategies that suppress errors in the resulting ground states. We discuss the experimental feasibility of this approach and propose extensions to solve higher chromatic number problems, providing a route towards direct solution of a wide range of real-world integer optimization problems using near-term neutral atom hardware.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Direction switchable single-photon emitter using a Rydberg polariton

All-optical redirection or routing of single photons is essential for quantum networks. Although studied in various systems both in theory and experiment, the redirection of single photons with many output ports, compatible with large-scale photonic circuits, still needs to be explored. Here, we demonstrate a direction switchable single-photon emitter using a Rydberg polariton. The Rydberg component of the stored photon is changed using a stimulated Raman transition with a specific intermediate state. By adjusting the direction of the retrieval laser, we can redirect the emitted photon into a rich variety of alternative modes. Building upon this scheme, we propose a quantum routing of single photons with \textit{N} output channels and unity routing efficiency. In addition, the protocol reduces the effect of motional dephasing increasing the photon lifetime to $>10~\mu$s ($>20$ times photon processing time), enabling functional quantum devices based on Rydberg polaritons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Determination of Quantum Defects and Core Polarizability of Atomic Cesium via Terahertz and Radio-Frequency Spectroscopy in Thermal Vapor

We present new measurements of quantum defects and core polarizabilities in cesium ($^{133}$Cs), based on transition frequency measurements between Rydberg states ($14 \leq n \leq 38$) obtained through terahertz (THz) and radio-frequency spectroscopy in a thermal atomic vapor. %By detuning resonant fields coupling neighbouring Rydberg states, we observe a detuning-dependent asymmetry in the line shape which can be used to extract the frequency of the transition. We perform a global fitting of our measurements to extract quantum defects of the $s_{1/2}$, $p_{1/2}$, $p_{3/2}$, $d_{3/2}$, $d_{5/2}$, $f_{5/2}$, $f_{7/2}$, $g_{7/2}$ and $g_{9/2}$ electronic states. Transitions between high angular momentum states ($4 \leq \ell \leq 8$) were measured to extract the Cs$^{+}$ dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities. We find $\alpha_{d} = 15.729(18)$ $a_{0}^{3}$ and $\alpha_{q} = 76.3(1.9)$ $a_{0}^{5}$ respectively. Using these results, and accounting for the covariances between parameters in the global fit, the energies for $n\ell_{j}$ Rydberg states can be estimated to a precision of a few MHz or less.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Unravelling the Structures in the van der Waals Interactions of Alkali Rydberg Atoms

Rydberg atoms are used in a wide range of applications due to their peculiar properties like strong dipolar and van der Waals interactions. The choice of Rydberg state has a huge impact on the strength and angular dependence of the interactions, and so a detailed understanding of the underlying processes and resulting properties of the interactions is therefore key to select the most suitable states for experiments. We study the van der Waals interactions in alkali-metal atoms in detail and highlight the structures which allow an understanding and exploitation of the various interaction properties. A particular theme is the identification of F\"orster resonances with $n_1 \neq n_2$, which offer interaction potentials with a wide range of properties that make them particularly interesting for experimental applications. A second theme is a focus on the underlying structures that shape the angular dependency and sign of the interactions. This understanding - instead of brute-force calculations - allows for a much simpler and more systematic search for suitable pair states. These insights can be used for the selection of tailored interaction potentials subject to experimental constraints and requirements. We use rubidium as an example species in this work and also provide data for cesium and pair states that are coupled via two- or three-photon transitions, i.e. up to $F$ states, in the Appendix.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Single photonic qutrit in a collective Rydberg polariton

We report on the coherent creation, control and read-out of a single photonic qutrit in a Rydberg ensemble. In each measurement, an optical photon is stored as a Rydberg polariton through electromagnetically induced transparency. Employing two microwave fields, the polariton is driven into an arbitrary superposition of three collective states, each encoded in a Rydberg state. The collective state is mapped into a photonic time-bin qutrit with the microwave field and read out sequentially. The complete sequence, including preparation, control, and read-out, is less than 1.8~$\mu$s, which mitigates decoherence significantly. We measure the coherence of the qutrit with non-destructive Ramsey interferometry, which is preferable for quantum information processing, and find good quantitative agreement with the theoretical model. The ability to write, process and read out the single photonic qutrit on microsecond time scales with microwave coupled Rydberg states demonstrates the coherent connectivity among the high Hilbert space of the qutrit.Our study is an important step in exploring qutrit based quantum information processes and quantum simulation of topological physics with microwave coupled Rydberg atom ensembles.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Many-body nonequilibrium dynamics in a self-induced Floquet system

Floquet systems are periodically driven systems. In this framework, the system Hamiltonian and associated spectra of interest are modified, giving rise to new quantum phases of matter and nonequilibrium dynamics without static counterparts. Here we experimentally demonstrate a self-induced Floquet system in the interacting Rydberg gas. This originates from the photoionization of thermal Rydberg gases in a static magnetic field. Importantly, by leveraging the Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency spectrum, we probe the nonequilibrium dynamics in the bistable regime and identify the emergence of a discrete time crystalline phase. Our work fills the experimental gap in the understanding the relation of multistability and dissipative discrete time crystalline phase. In this regard, it constitutes a highly controlled platform for exploring exotic nonequilibrium physics in dissipative interacting systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Suppression of motional dephasing using state mapping

Rydberg-mediated quantum optics is a useful route toward deterministic quantum information processing based on single photons and quantum networks, but is bottlenecked by the fast motional dephasing of Rydberg atoms. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate suppressing the motional dephasing by creating an {\it a priori} unknown but correct phase to each Rydberg atom in an atomic ensemble. The phase created is exactly proportional to the unknown velocity of the thermal motion, resulting in a condition as if no thermal motion occurs to the Rydberg atom upon the retrieval of the signal photon. Our experiments, though hampered by the noise of lasers and the environment, demonstrate more than one order of magnitude enhancement of the coherence time. The feasibility of realizing long-lived storage of single photons in strongly interacting Rydberg media sheds new light on Rydberg-mediated quantum nonlinear optics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Quantum Lotka-Volterra dynamics

Physical systems that display competitive non-linear dynamics have played a key role in the development of mathematical models of Nature. Important examples include predator-prey models in ecology, biology, consumer-resource models in economics, and reaction-diffusion equations in chemical reactions. However, as real world systems are embedded in complex environments, where it is difficult or even impossible to control external parameters, quantitative comparison between measurements and simple models remains challenging. This motivates the search for competitive dynamics in isolated physical systems, with precise control. An ideal candidate is laser excitation in dilute atomic ensembles. For example, atoms in highly-excited Rydberg states display rich many-body dynamics including ergodicity breaking, synchronisation and time crystals. Here, we demonstrate predator-prey dynamics by laser excitation and ionisation of Rydberg atoms in a room temperature vapour cell. Ionisation of excited atoms produce electric fields that suppress further excitation. This starves the ionisation process of resource, giving rise to predator-prey dynamics. By comparing our results to the Lotka-Volterra model, we demonstrate that as well applications in non-linear dynamics, our experiment has applications in metrology, and remote sensing of localised plasmas.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Early warning signals of the tipping point in strongly interacting Rydberg atoms

The identification of tipping points is essential for prediction of collapses or other sudden changes in complex systems. Applications include studies of ecology, thermodynamics, climatology, and epidemiology. However, detecting early signs of proximity to a tipping is made challenging by complexity and non-linearity. Strongly interacting Rydberg atom gases offer model systems that offer both complexity and non-linearity, including phase transition and critical slowing down. Here, via an external probe we observe prior warning of the proximity of a phase transition of Rydberg thermal gases. This warning signal is manifested as a deviation from linear growth of the variance with increasing probe intensity. We also observed the dynamics of the critical slowing down behavior versus different time scales, and atomic densities, thus providing insights into the study of a Rydberg atom system's critical behavior. Our experiment suggests that the full critical slowing down dynamics of strongly-interacting Rydberg atoms can be probed systematically, thus providing a benchmark with which to identify critical phenomena in quantum many-body systems.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2023

Giant microwave-optical Kerr nonlinearity via Rydberg excitons in cuprous oxide

Microwave-optical conversion is key to future networks of quantum devices, such as those based on superconducting technology. Conversion at the single quantum level requires strong nonlinearity, high bandwidth, and compatibility with a millikelvin environment. A large nonlinearity is observed in Rydberg atoms, but combining atomic gases with dilution refrigerators is technically challenging. Here we demonstrate that a strong microwave-optical nonlinearity in a cryogenic, solid-state system by exploiting Rydberg states of excitons in \cuprite. We measure a microwave-optical cross-Kerr coefficient of $B_0 = 0.022 \pm 0.008 $ m V$^{-2}$ at 4~K, which is several orders of magnitude larger than other solid-state systems. Our results highlight the potential of Rydberg excitons for nonlinear optics, and form the basis for a microwave-optical frequency converter based on Cu$_2$O.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Simultaneous multi-band radio-frequency detection using high-orbital-angular-momentum states in a Rydberg-atom receiver

We demonstrate simultaneous detection of radio-frequency (RF) fields ranging from the very high-frequency (VHF) band (128 MHz) to terahertz frequencies (0.61 THz) using a caesium Rydberg-atom receiver. The RF fields are concurrently applied to a series of atomic transitions involving states of increasing orbital angular momentum, where the energy separations become progressively smaller, allowing access to a very wide range of radio frequencies. We show that the optical response of the system in the presence of the RF fields can be reproduced theoretically using a simple Lindblad-master-equation approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate experimentally that a series of amplitude-modulated tones can be detected simultaneously using multiple carrier frequencies. This demonstration opens the way for RF communications across multiple bands simultaneously using a single optical receiver.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Emergence of synchronisation in a driven-dissipative hot Rydberg vapor

We observe synchronisation in a thermal (35-60 {\deg}C) atomic (Rb) ensemble driven to a highly-excited Rydberg state (principle quantum number n ranging from 43 to 79). Synchronisation in this system is unexpected due to the atomic motion, however, we show theoretically that sufficiently strong interactions via a global Rydberg density mean field causes frequency and phase entrainment. The emergent oscillations in the vapor's bulk quantities are detected in the transmission of the probe laser for a two-photon excitation scheme.

physics.atom-ph↗