Numerically optimized amplitude-robust controlled-Z gate for ultracold neutral atoms with individual addressing capability
We numerically optimized a scheme for a symmetric controlled-Z (CZ) gate based on the Rydberg blockade in neutral atoms, with the aim of increasing its robustness to variations in the Rabi frequency. The scheme exploits analytically defined phase profiles of the laser pulse and proves almost an order of magnitude more robust to Rabi-frequency variations than previously proposed protocols. We designed this amplitude-robust protocol with a smooth pulse shape and optimized it for a finite Rydberg blockade strength, which makes it suitable for experimental implementation in both single-photon and two-photon configurations. We further show that the protocol can be applied to individually addressed Rydberg excitation, accounting for the asymmetry of the Rabi frequencies of two atoms excited by tightly focused laser beams. This allows the effects of residual thermal motion of the trapped atoms to be reduced. Finally, we examined the performance of the protocol for single-photon and two-photon Rydberg excitation schemes at finite blockade strength, and demonstrated its advantages for individual addressing at finite temperatures of the trapped atoms.