arXiv subjects

M. Saffman

Publications and source records attributed to M. Saffman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Mid-circuit measurements on a single species neutral alkali atom quantum processor

We demonstrate mid-circuit measurements in a neutral atom array by shelving data qubits in protected hyperfine-Zeeman sub-states while non-destructively measuring an ancilla qubit. Measurement fidelity was enhanced using microwave repumping of the ancilla during the measurement. The coherence of the shelved data qubits was extended during the ancilla readout with dynamical decoupling pulses, after which the data qubits are returned to mf = 0 computational basis states. We demonstrate that the quantum state of the data qubits is well preserved up to a constant phase shift with a state preparation and measurement (SPAM) corrected process fidelity of F = 97.0(5)%. The measurement fidelity on the ancilla qubit after correction for state preparation errors is F = 94.9(8)% and F = 95.3(1.1)% for |0> and |1> qubit states, respectively. We discuss extending this technique to repetitive quantum error correction using quadrupole recooling and microwave-based quantum state resetting.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Reducing Rydberg state dc polarizability by microwave dressing

We demonstrate reduction of the dc polarizability of Cesium atom Rydberg states in a 77 K environment utilizing microwave field dressing. In particular we reduce the polarizability of $52P_{3/2}$ states which have resonances at 5.35 GHz to $51D_{5/2}$, suitable for interfacing Rydberg atoms to superconducting resonators in a cryogenic environment. We measure the polarizability of the Rydberg states using Magneto-Optical-Trap (MOT) loss spectroscopy. Using an off-resonant radio-frequency (RF) dressing field coupling $52P_{3/2}$ and $51D_{5/2}$ we demonstrate a reduction in dc polarizability of the $ 52P_{3/2}$ states over 80$\%$. Experimental findings are in good agreement with a numerical model of the atom-dressing field system developed using the Shirley-Floquet formalism. We also demonstrate that the dc polarizability reduction is highly anisotropic, with near total nulling possible when the dc and dressing fields are aligned, but only a factor of two reduction in polarizability when the fields are orthogonal. These results may aid in stabilizing Rydberg resonances against varying dc fields present near surfaces, enabling advancement in the development of hybrid Rydberg atom - superconducting resonator quantum gates.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Sensitivity of quantum gate fidelity to laser phase and intensity noise

The fidelity of gate operations on neutral atom qubits is often limited by fluctuations of the laser drive. Here, we quantify the sensitivity of quantum gate fidelities to laser phase and intensity noise. We first develop models to identify features observed in laser self-heterodyne noise spectra, focusing on the effects of white noise and servo bumps. In the weak-noise regime, characteristic of well-stabilized lasers, we show that an analytical theory based on a perturbative solution of a master equation agrees very well with numerical simulations that incorporate phase noise. We compute quantum gate fidelities for one- and two-photon Rabi oscillations and show that they can be enhanced by an appropriate choice of Rabi frequency relative to spectral noise peaks. We also analyze the influence of intensity noise with spectral support smaller than the Rabi frequency. Our results establish requirements on laser noise levels needed to achieve desired gate fidelities.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Multi-scale architecture for fast optical addressing and control of large scale qubit arrays

We present a technique for rapid site-selective control of the quantum state of particles in a large array using a combination of a fast deflector (e.g. an acousto-optic deflector) and a relatively slow spatial light modulator. The use of spatial light modulators for site-selective quantum state manipulation has been limited due to slow transition times preventing rapid, consecutive quantum gates. By partitioning the spatial light modulator into multiple segments, and using a fast deflector to transition between them, it is possible to substantially reduce the average time increment between scanner transitions by increasing the number of gates that can be performed for a single spatial light modulator full frame setting. We analyze the performance of this device in two different configurations: in configuration 1, each segment of the spatial light modulator addresses the full qubit array; in configuration 2, each segment of the spatial light modulator addresses a sub-array and an additional fast deflector positions that sub-array with respect to the full qubit array. With these hybrid scanners we calculate qubit addressing rates that are tens to hundreds of times faster than using an SLM alone.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Nanoscale addressing and manipulation of neutral atoms using electromagnetically induced transparency

We propose to integrate dark-state based localization techniques into a neutral atom quantum computing architecture and numerically investigate two specific schemes. The first scheme implements state-selective projective measurement by scattering photons from a specific qubit with very little cross talk on the other atoms in the ensemble. The second scheme performs a single-qubit phase gate on the target atom with an incoherent spontaneous emission probability as low as 0.01. Our numerical simulations in rubidium (Rb) atoms show that for both of these schemes a spatial resolution at the level of tens of nanometers using near-infrared light can be achieved with experimentally realistic parameters.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

An architecture for quantum networking of neutral atom processors

Development of a network for remote entanglement of quantum processors is an outstanding challenge in quantum information science. We propose and analyze a two-species architecture for remote entanglement of neutral atom quantum computers based on integration of optically trapped atomic qubit arrays with fast optics for photon collection. One of the atomic species is used for atom-photon entanglement, and the other species provides local processing. We compare the achievable rates of remote entanglement generation for two optical approaches: free space photon collection with a lens and a near-concentric, long working distance resonant cavity. Laser cooling and trapping within the cavity removes the need for mechanical transport of atoms from a source region, which allows for a fast repetition rate. Using optimized values of the cavity finesse, remote entanglement generation rates $> 10^3~\rm s^{-1}$ are predicted for experimentally feasible parameters.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

A simple, passive design for large optical trap arrays for single atoms

We present an approach for trapping cold atoms in a 2D optical trap array generated with a novel 4f filtering scheme and custom transmission mask without any active device. The approach can be used to generate arrays of bright or dark traps, or both simultaneously with a single wavelength for forming two-species traps. We demonstrate the design by creating a 2D array of 1225 dark trap sites, where single Cs atoms are loaded into regions of near-zero intensity in an approximately Gaussian profile trap. Moreover, we demonstrate a simple solution to the problem of out-of-focus trapped atoms, which occurs due to the Talbot effect in periodic optical lattices. Using a high power yet low cost spectrally and spatially broadband laser, out-of-focus interference is mitigated, leading to near perfect removal of Talbot plane traps.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Analysis of a Cesium lattice optical clock

We propose and analyze a Cesium lattice optical clock (CLOC) which has the potential for high performance and simple operation in a compact form factor using a forbidden optical transition in Cs atoms at 685 nm. Cs atoms are trapped in a 3D optical lattice using a magic trap wavelength of $λ_{\textrm m}=803~\textrm nm$. To reduce sensitivity to magnetic fields the atoms are probed on two cycling transitions with equal magnitude, but opposite magnetic shifts. Operation of the clock requires only three diode lasers at 685, 803, 852 nm and is simplified compared to other higher-performance optical clocks that rely on alkaline earth atoms or single trapped ions. Analysis shows a quantum noise limited stability of $8.4\times 10^{-16}/\sqrtτ$ and the potential for reaching 1 ns timing uncertainty at 1 month with realistic system parameters.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Demonstration of multi-qubit entanglement and algorithms on a programmable neutral atom quantum computer

Gate model quantum computers promise to solve currently intractable computational problems if they can be operated at scale with long coherence times and high fidelity logic. Neutral atom hyperfine qubits provide inherent scalability due to their identical characteristics, long coherence times, and ability to be trapped in dense multi-dimensional arrays\cite{Saffman2010}. Combined with the strong entangling interactions provided by Rydberg states\cite{Jaksch2000,Gaetan2009,Urban2009}, all the necessary characteristics for quantum computation are available. Here we demonstrate several quantum algorithms on a programmable gate model neutral atom quantum computer in an architecture based on individual addressing of single atoms with tightly focused optical beams scanned across a two-dimensional array of qubits. Preparation of entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states\cite{Greenberger1989} with up to 6 qubits, quantum phase estimation for a chemistry problem\cite{Aspuru-Guzik2005}, and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA)\cite{Farhi2014} for the MaxCut graph problem are demonstrated. These results highlight the emergent capability of neutral atom qubit arrays for universal, programmable quantum computation, as well as preparation of non-classical states of use for quantum enhanced sensing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Spatial Coherence of Light in Collective Spontaneous Emission

When a quantum system is put into an excited state, it will decay back to the ground state through a process termed spontaneous emission. It is generally assumed that spontaneous emission between different individual emitters would not be coherent with each other; to produce coherent light one would need population inversion and stimulated emission. In this work, we show that an optically-thin ensemble of 11,000 radiating atoms spontaneously organize to produce spatially coherent light. The reason for this coherence is collective-coupling of the individual emitters via Dicke superradiance and subradiance (as opposed to amplification through stimulated emission).

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Lipkin model on a quantum computer

Atomic nuclei are important laboratories for exploring and testing new insights into the universe, such as experiments to directly detect dark matter or explore properties of neutrinos. The targets of interest are often heavy, complex nuclei that challenge our ability to reliably model them (as well as quantify the uncertainty of those models) with classical computers. Hence there is great interest in applying quantum computation to nuclear structure for these applications. As an early step in this direction, especially with regards to the uncertainties in the relevant quantum calculations, we develop circuits to implement variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) algorithms for the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model, which is often used in the nuclear physics community as a testbed for many-body methods. We present quantum circuits for VQE for two and three particles and discuss the construction of circuits for more particles. Implementing the VQE for a two-particle system on the IBM Quantum Experience, we identify initialization and two-qubit gates as the largest sources of error. We find that error mitigation procedures reduce the errors in the results significantly, but additional quantum hardware improvements are needed for quantum calculations to be sufficiently accurate to be competitive with the best current classical methods.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Freedom of mixer rotation-axis improves performance in the quantum approximate optimization algorithm

Variational quantum algorithms such as the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) are particularly attractive candidates for implementation on near-term quantum processors. As hardware realities such as error and qubit connectivity will constrain achievable circuit depth in the near future, new ways to achieve high-performance at low depth are of great interest. In this work, we present a modification to QAOA that adds additional variational parameters in the form of freedom of the rotation-axis in the $XY$-plane of the mixer Hamiltonian. Via numerical simulation, we show that this leads to a drastic performance improvement over standard QAOA at finding solutions to the MAXCUT problem on graphs of up to 7 qubits. Furthermore, we explore the Z-phase error mitigation properties of our modified ansatz, its performance under a realistic error model for a neutral atom quantum processor, and the class of problems it can solve in a single round.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Photon recoil and laser focusing limits to Rydberg gate fidelity

Limits to Rydberg gate fidelity that arise from the entanglement of internal states of neutral atoms with the motional degrees of freedom due to the momentum kick from photon absorption and re-emission is quantified. This occurs when the atom is in a superposition of internal states but only one of these states is manipulated by visible or UV photons. The Schrödinger equation that describes this situation is presented and two cases are explored. In the first case, the entanglement arises because the spatial wave function shifts due to the separation in time between excitation and stimulated emission. For neutral atoms in a harmonic trap, the decoherence can be expressed within a sudden approximation when the duration of the laser pulses are shorter than the harmonic oscillator period. In this limit, the decoherence is given by simple analytic formulas that account for the momentum of the photon, the temperature of the atoms, the harmonic oscillator frequency, and atomic mass. In the second case, there is a reduction in gate fidelity because the photons causing absorption and stimulated emission are in focused beam modes. This leads to a dependence of the optically induced changes in the internal states on the center of mass atomic position. In the limit where the time between pulses is short, the decoherence can be expressed as a simple analytic formula involving the laser waist, temperature of the atoms, the trap frequency and the atomic mass. These limits on gate fidelity are studied for the standard $π-2π-π$ Rydberg gate and a new protocol based on a single adiabatic pulse with Gaussian envelope.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Symmetric Rydberg controlled-Z gates with adiabatic pulses

We analyze neutral atom Rydberg $C_Z$ gates based on adiabatic pulses applied symmetrically to both atoms. Analysis with smooth pulse shapes and Cs atom parameters predicts the gates can create Bell states with fidelity ${\mathcal F}>0.999$ using adiabatic rapid passage (ARP) pulses. With globally optimized adiabatic pulse shapes, in a two-photon excitation process, we generate Bell states with fidelity ${\mathcal F}=0.997$. The analysis fully accounts for spontaneous emission from intermediate and Rydberg states, including the Rydberg lifetime in a room temperature environment, but does not include errors arising from laser noise. The gate protocols do not require individual addressing and are shown to be robust against Doppler shifts due to atomic motion.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Speed, retention loss, and motional heating of atoms in an optical conveyor belt

The problem of high-speed transport for cold atoms with minimal heating has received considerable attention in theory and experiment. Much theoretical work has focused on solutions of general problems, often assuming a harmonic trapping potential or a 1D geometry. However in the case of optical conveyor belts these assumptions are not always valid. Here we present experimental and numerical studies of the effects of various motional parameters on heating and retention of atoms transported in an optical conveyor. Our numerical model is specialized to the geometry of a moving optical lattice and uses dephasing in the density matrix formalism to account for effects of motion in the transverse plane. We verify the model by a comparison with experimental measurements, and use it to gain further insight into the relationship between the conveyor's performance and the various parameters of the system.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Application of adiabatic passage in Rydberg atomic ensembles for quantum information processing

We review methods for coherently controlling Rydberg quantum states of atomic ensembles using Adiabatic Rapid Passage and Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage. These methods are commonly used for population inversion in simple two-level and three-level systems. We show that adiabatic techniques allow us to control population and phase dynamics of complex entangled states of mesoscopic atomic ensembles for quantum information processing with Rydberg atoms. We also propose several schemes of single-qubit and two-qubit gates based on adiabatic passage, Rydberg blockade and Förster resonances in Rydberg atoms.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Rydberg mediated entanglement in a two-dimensional neutral atom qubit array

We demonstrate high fidelity two-qubit Rydberg blockade and entanglement in a two-dimensional qubit array. The qubit array is defined by a grid of blue detuned lines of light with 121 sites for trapping atomic qubits. Improved experimental methods have increased the observed Bell state fidelity to $F_{\rm Bell}=0.86(2)$. Accounting for errors in state preparation and measurement (SPAM) we infer a fidelity of $F_{\rm Bell}^{\rm -SPAM}=0.88$. Accounting for errors in single qubit operations we infer that a Bell state created with the Rydberg mediated $C_Z$ gate has a fidelity of $F_{\rm Bell}^{C_Z}=0.89$. Comparison with a detailed error model based on quantum process matrices indicates that finite atom temperature and laser noise are the dominant error sources contributing to the observed gate infidelity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Fast three-qubit Toffoli quantum gate based on the three-body Förster resonances in Rydberg atoms

We propose a scheme of fast three-qubit Toffoli quantum gate for ultracold neutral-atom qubits. The scheme is based on the Stark-tuned three-body Förster resonances, which we have observed in our recent experiment [D.B.Tretyakov et al., Phys.Rev.Lett. 119, 173402 (2017)]. The three-body resonance corresponds to a transition when the three interacting atoms change their states simultaneously, and it occurs at a different dc electric field with respect to the two-body Förster resonance. A combined effect of three-body and two-body Förster interactions in external electric and magnetic fields near the three-body resonance results in complex coherent behavior of the populations and phases of collective states of a three-atom system. We have found that it is possible to obtain experimental conditions suitable to implement three-qubit Toffoli gate with 96.8\% fidelity and less than 3~$μ$s duration.

quant-ph↗